A KEIGHLEY organisation welcomed a veteran sergeant major and an Afghan-born student from the University of Bradford to discuss educational support for refugee children earlier this month.

Keighley Community Support met with Sergeant Major Mark Hill MBE and Fatema Jafari on 12 November at the Keighley Civic Centre, with Bingley ward councillor Ashraf Miah also in attendance.

Mark Hill MBE created the 'Afghan Buddy Box', a free digital resource which uses text, pictures and audio to translate Afghan languages Dari and Pashto into English.

It covers topics including days of the week, numbers, time, colours, school items and fruits and vegetables, and is being used to help children who have been forced to flee Afghanistan adapt to life in other countries.

The Afghan Buddy Box was created and designed in Microsoft PowerPoint and made available online for teachers to use in their classes, and is currently being used in over 30 schools in the UK and Europe.

The Buddy Box takes its name from the practice of pairing new school children with a 'buddy' who helps them to settle in.

Mark Hill MBE said: “I had the idea when I heard of evacuation flights from Afghanistan, and I wanted to help young people feel welcome in the UK.

"It’s inspiring to see how the Afghan Buddy Box has spread across Yorkshire and the rest of the UK and is making a real difference.”

Fatema was born in Afghanistan and grew up in Iran, before returning back to her homeland later on.

She is currently studying at the University of Bradford, and praised Mark's work.

“It’s a brilliant initiative to help Afghans settle in to their new life in the UK through effective communication”, she said.

Fulzar Ahmed, of Keighley Community Support, added: "Keighley Community Support always likes to get involved with new and innovative projects, so we are really pleased to support the Afghan Buddy Box."

For more information, contact Sergeant Major Mark Hill MBE at mark.hill167@mod.go.uk.