KommAn 2020
As part of our commitment to the integration of refugee immigrants, we rely on practice-oriented encounter formats that place exchange, togetherness, and the fostering of everyday-life skills front and centre. Our projects offer the participants not only valuable support with administrative and practical matters, but also the opportunity to build connections in a safe space and to overcome cultural barriers.
In 2020, our regular meetings took on particular significance, as they could be carried out successfully despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The events took place in compliance with the coronavirus regulations, whereby language as a hurdle often presented a particular challenge. Here we relied on targeted support to ensure that all participants were able to understand and implement the rules.
One highlight was our Cooking is Fun project in February 2020, in which the young people researched selected recipes and prepared them together in teams. The creative process of cooking fostered not only teamwork but also the practical use of the German language. Enjoying the self-cooked food together was a particular success and strengthened the sense of community.
In June 2020, the young people came together for Cooking Together to prepare an evening meal under the guidance of the volunteer mentors. The exchange on topics such as education in the time of coronavirus and private measures for health prevention offered room for interesting discussions and fostered mutual understanding.
In October 2020, board games, PlayStation, and films took centre stage at our Leisure Activities with Games and Films event. These relaxed activities gave the young people the opportunity to get to know one another in a laid-back atmosphere and to spend time together. A few weeks later, our Grill Master event took place, at which the young people fired up the grill together with the mentors and exchanged views on everyday topics in an open, friendly circle.
These projects are only one part of our integrative work, which is always geared towards the needs of the refugees. We are pleased about the positive feedback and the gratitude shown to us, and we are motivated to continue on our path in integration work.
