The LBW Trust (Learning for a Better World) believes education is the pathway to a better future.

Since 2016, UTS academics Nina Burridge and Lucy Fiske, with a team of academics and teachers, have delivered formal training to refugee teachers. The LBW Trust began its support for this valuable project in 2020. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as classroom management, learning and teaching methods, adolescent development, mental health, and health education, equipping teachers with the skills to address the unique needs of their students.
In January 2025, the Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre (CRLC) hosted the annual teacher training conference.
This highly anticipated event brought together dedicated volunteer teachers from five refugee learning centres and teacher educators to enhance teaching methods and inspire more effective lesson delivery. The three-day conference included a full day of presentations by the volunteer teachers, where they displayed their skills in planning lessons and delivering them with a high level of creativity.
CRLC welcomed Australian teacher trainers from Cisarua Learning and the University of Technology Sydney, supported by The LBW Trust. The team included Lisa McDonald, Dr Nina Burridge, Dr Miriam Faine and Dr Richard Walker. A special highlight was the return of Nagina Zahra, a former CRLC teacher who is now a qualified educator in Australia. Currently teaching at St. Aloysius College Adelaide, Nagina took on a pivotal role in training refugee teachers, exemplifying the incredible potential of refugee educators.
CRLC Manager Reza Husseini opened the conference with warm remarks, setting a collaborative tone for the days ahead. She also extended a heartfelt welcome to Lisa McDonald, who was returning to train teachers after her last visit in 2020. Lisa’s icebreaker session, featuring her stunning guitar performance, created a relaxed and engaging atmosphere—much to the delight of attendees, especially CRLC’s guitar teacher!
A Journey of Growth
The training featured participants from five refugee-led learning centres:
Care for the Displaced Children (CDC), Refugee Learning Nest (RLN), Hope Learning Centre (HLC), Refugee Learning Center (RLC), and CRLC itself.
Together, these centres provide education to over 1,500 refugee children. With 46 teachers and management team members in attendance, the CRLC team creatively managed the logistics, ensuring everyone had a seat at the table—literally and figuratively.
Nagina Zahra opened the training with a module designed to set the stage for meaningful learning over the next three days. As one of CRLC’s first teachers, Nagina’s journey from volunteering at the centre in 2014 to becoming a qualified educator in Australia serves as an inspiring example of what refugee teachers can achieve.
The day also included a reflective session, where participants shared their journeys as both learners and educators. This moment underscored the transformative power of education in shaping lives and building resilient communities.
Mutual Learning in Action
The training emphasised collaboration and exchange, fostering a dynamic environment where trainers and teachers learned from one another. Nina Burridge facilitated an interactive session where CRLC teachers shared their insights by posting notes on the wall, sparking engaging discussions. Trainers like Miriam Faine expressed appreciation for the valuable contributions of participants, highlighting the mutual growth these sessions foster.
It was particularly inspiring to see young, educated refugees stepping forward to enhance their skills, demonstrating true leadership and commitment to their communities. As one participant remarked, “This training isn’t just about teaching—it’s about building a future together.”
Looking Ahead
As the conference wrapped up its first day, the energy and optimism in the room were palpable. The annual training at CRLC continues to be a cornerstone in strengthening refugee-led education, and the dedication of teachers, trainers, and partners ensures its ongoing success.
Through initiatives like this, CRLC and its collaborators are not just improving education—they’re cultivating a brighter, more hopeful future for refugee children and their communities.
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Thank you,
The LBW Trust