Initiatives for refugees
More and more people are supporting refugees in a great variety of initiatives.
“Rather than sitting and crying front of the TV at home, I prefer to come here and help,” a lady from Munich told the magazine “Der Spiegel”. The reporter had met her at the central railway station where she was welcoming refugees. Her words express what many people in Germany have been feeling since the news programmes became dominated by pictures of refugees: horror at the extent of their despair, and an urgent desire to do something. Many initiatives have emerged on the basis of this feeling. Here are a few examples.
Grandhotel Cosmopolis
At this very special hotel in Augsburg, refugees and travellers live under the same roof – although the hoteliers prefer speak of “guests with and without asylum”. In addition to the rooms there are artists’ studios and a café. The aim is to enable the refugees to become integrated into daily life and come into contact with citizens. There is always somebody to answer questions at the Grandhotel.
www.grandhotel-cosmopolis.org
Welcome United
In summer 2014, SV Babelsberg 03 was the first football club in Germany to put a team together made up exclusively of refugees. The club organized insurance and equipment for the players, and the fans paid for their football shirts. Welcome United started playing in the local league in 2015 and is now fighting not only for points for the club – but also for more togetherness both on and off the field.
www.babelsberg03.de/mannschaften/welcome-united-03
Learning how other people cook
A group of young Berliners organize courses in which refugees prepare dishes from their home country together with participants. “Cooking a meal together gives you a common basis,” says Rafael Strasser, one of the organizers. The idea has led to many positive kitchen encounters – and a cookery book with recipes from all over the world.
www.ueberdentellerrand.org
Academic Experience Worldwide
Many asylum seekers are highly qualified. Two students from Frankfurt am Main felt that this potential shouldn’t go unused. Their idea? To bring refugees with academic qualifications together with German students in the same field. They were awarded the Frankfurt Citizens’ Prize in 2015.
www.aeworldwide.de