Leyla's story!

1990

Flight to Bremen. I'm too young to understand it. Then the large family and almost all siblings are younger than me and I have very often take care of my brothers and sisters and help my mother in the household. 7 boys and 3 girls. If I was at least one boy, then things would be easier. Everything is too much. I have to be traversed. My opinion is also important, but I will not be heard. Many tears of despair, I run along the cheek. I stay strong and realize I'm going to grow up too early. I have to look forward. The road is my goal.

1998

Fourth class: I should go in the special school. A shock! Many misunderstandings. But I speak German. I'm just shy, and I see something different than the others. I take my courage speak with the teacher and repeat the fourth grade. Although my teacher tells me if I repeat now the fourth grade and later visit the school, improving not my chances. But I sit by me! I learned when I want to achieve something, I must open my mouth! My family could not help me so I must help myself!

2002

Orientation stage: My teacher suggested me to go to school. Of my parents were married there is little support; girls and take care of the family - there is not an education is so important. I will stay strong - I sit by and visit the school. I am sure that I can achieve my goal.

2005

I make my secondary school - and not all that bad. The seriousness of life begins. My cousin gives me the hint me as a Pharmaceutical Assistant (PTA to apply). The first job. It works. But then I realize that the decision was a mistake. I am not convinced, let me skip school to infect. Everything is too much: family, friends, education, and then the foreign country, another culture. A year passes. I break from training.

2007

There must be something I make, I'm desperate, what should I do ". I am applying again. This time for a school-based training as an educator. I get the point. Soon come to doubt. I want to cancel. I hear from PickUp. Now accept more help. I do not act as weak? I overcome myself go, and. It is unusual to ask for help. Birgit says, the job is right for me. I get back more. There are people who believe just in me. Soon I can believe in me again and I will self-confident.

The training break? Long gone!

2008

Lady Luck has left me not. Dr. Tomandl from Hospital of Bremen Middle / East is at PickUP my mentor. He wants to do something good - not just donate anonymously. Dr Tomandl says he would like to track my development. I will absolutely make the training ended, because we in Germany necessarily more educators would need with a migration background. He asks what I need. Will create a wish list, I do not know what the world! This man wants to help me really easy - he has it?. We buy a laptop for me so I can work in peace for training. We talk about tutoring. And Dr. Tomandl financed everything. I am ashamed for my neighborhood and the environment in which I live. But I want that dr. Tomandl understands where I come from and who I am. So I invite the team of PickUp and Dr. Tomandl with us a woman to go home for dinner. I'm excited, important people learn from my life to know my culture and my family. I am glad that everything went well. I'm very relieved.

2009

By Birgit from PickUp I heared about the Grundtvig-project "Without Barriers". Birgit would ask me if I join it. I am happy about it. There are people who really believe in me. I agree with and do. I learn quickly and put everything at 1:1. I pass on my experiences to young people. Next I develop.

In 2010

Now, my training is almost finished, I put in the middle of exams and apply for recognition of the one-year internship. After that, I would like to make the University student and study perhaps. I think the work that make Birgit and her colleagues very interesting and would also like to work as a social worker. With a completed degree course, I have to work a lot more opportunities in the areas that interest me. "But everything first step by step ..."

Future now!

That means your future is beginning right now. It's the message to the youngsters , most of them are immigrants, at the youth centre. In cooperation with the employers of the youth centre we were giving them the chance making experiences with job interviews, to perfect their applikations and to meet employers of their surroundings.

It was an succesfully projrct, because some of these kids did not believe or were not interessted in their future until this project. Tey thought there is nobody believing in them, nor themselves. And after these two days some of them were upbeat and build an idea what kind of job they will do.

This is my collegue Zara, she's working at the Youth centre, with Izzetin and Ibo. These lucky two guys were passing their youthleader course and could lead their own youth groups now!

Hello from Bremen...

After so many weeks we can finally post some information about the nice time we shared in Bremen. Just this much about punctuality, reliability and discipline, the so-called “German virtues“. Enclosed you will find some descriptions of our visited facilities and some of the lectures we listened to. Feel free to post some comments. Maybe some questions or suggestions for our upcoming meeting in Istanbul will result from our contributions. Special thanks to the „Qualitreff e.V.“ which made a big effort to translate these descriptions and lectures into the languages of the project participants! We are really looking forward to meeting you guys in Turkey. Kind regards from Bremen and cheerio!

: (

So sorry, because I can't give you a direct link to the translated powerpoint presentations (it doesn't work). I must give it to you in turkey and here you are getting one more photo of Bremen now...

...at the funfairy

Jardin solidaire’s news paper

Two hours per week, employees of the “jardin solidaire” come to the GRETA for their communication lesson. During this time they speak about their experiences and problems in garden. These exchanges are very important for them.

Meanwhile, they write up articles for a small news paper to the association members. It calls the “Feuille de rose”.

In this news paper, they explain their work in the garden. For example in the last “Feuille de rose” they reported an interview of a professional gardener about pruning trees.

They speak about trainings which help them to fit into professional life and in every news papers they introduce new comers of the “Jardin solidaire”.

Will we manage to go on Saturday?

In case you do not see us Monday, this might be the cause :-( Only time can tell!

The Norwegian National day

The 17th of May is Norway's national day. This is celebrated each year with parades made up by children from every school in the local communities throughout the whole country.

Music is an important part of this parade too, and together with horns, saxophones, drums etc children in their best outfits shout "Hurray" and wave with Norwegian flags. People dressed in national and traditional outfits make a long row along the roads the parade passes. Everybody are happy and cheerful, and this happening makes a tremendous impression on everyone, especially tourists and immigrants in general.

Last year our school formed a group together with "Kongsberg statlige mottak - Hero", the company in which Henri works. Asylum seekers, refugees and other immigrants dressed in their best outfit met up and joined the parade. We went under the UN-flag plus the Norwegian flag, held by "our own" Henri from Cameroun.

As you can see on the photo, Henri and I participated with them, and we had a great time! It gave me a new dimmension walking this parade with our participants and asylum seekers, and undoubtedly they enjoyed it very much. People along the route chered and commented on the importance of having us in the parade, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. We are looking forward to this again next month!

Job fair in Kongsberg

Monday the 19th of April any person from Kongsberg were invited come to a job fair in town arranged by the local office which assist people to find work. Here they could meet employers directly, talk to them and leave their CV for registration.

Many of our participants worked hard to make their CVs look presentable. Some of them did not have very much information to give related to former work experience or school background. This stressed them a little, but we talked about how important personality was, and they decided to focus on this when meeting employers.

We have several immigrants at our school and in our community who really struggles to get their first permanent job. This might be because of the above mention points, but also because of the language barrier they meet. How can you speak fluent Norwegian before you get the chance to take fully part of a community, we ask.

Maybe some of our partners can help me out here? Do you in Germany, France, Turkey and Spain meet the same problems?

To see the article which was in the local paper before the job fair, press here. (Again, you might learn some usful phrases in Norwegian :-)

Norwegian language is the key to integration!

Ca 30 participants from 18 different nations sat arount the cofee talbe Friday the 16.th of April. With them were 3 teachers from our school plus 10 Norwegian people from the local community.

This was their first café-chat out of total 6 meetings which will take place this spring. Different themes are set up for each meeting, and this first reunion focused on health and freetime activities. Next to come up are themes about:
- the participants wishes for their future in Norway
- Norwegian history from poverty to one of the richest countries in the world
- our National day the 17th of May
- challenges participants meet due to language and culture


Our guests are all well known people from our local community. Some are politicians, others have leeding jobs in big companies, and some are pensioneers with knowledge and connections in the community. One of the main figures, Jan Hansvoll, has worked closely with me during many years now, and he is a person who is deeply engaged in questions about integration. He is also a member of several political groups governing the community, and he therefore find it nessecary to invite other people to see and hear for themselves what immingrants in Kongsberg really stand for, which problems they encounter and what resources they hold.

The conclution after the first café-renuion was very positive; all the participants agreed that this was very motivating and useful, and our Norwegian guests too are already looking forward to the next meeting - next Friday.

You can see the whole article in our local newspaper, Laagendalsposten, here.

Sin Barreras y Azkar Lugo - Without barriers and Azkar Lugo

El sábado, 10 de abril, 8 alumnos del proyecto Grundtvig “Sin Barreras” junto con los miembros del equipo de Monterroso nos desplazamos a Lugo para pasar un día con el equipo de Fútbol Sala “Azkar Lugo” de la primera división.
Por la mañana, recorrimos las instalaciones del Club, acompañados por representantes del club: sala de trofeos, gimnasio, etc.



Posteriormente, fuimos invitados a comer y durante la comida nos entregaron diferentes regalos entre los que destacaba una camiseta del primer equipo.



Ya por la tarde, asistimos al partido del Azkar Lugo donde pudimos disfrutar de un encuentro emocionante y animar como uno más vestidos con las camisetas del Club.
Queremos agradecer esta invitación y el poder compartir un día con el Azkar Lugo.



La actividad fue recogida por la prensa local y por la propia prensa del club. Estos son los enlaces:

http://www.lavozdegalicia.com/lugo/2010/04/11/0003_8410623.htm

http://www.pronelugoad.com/gal/amplia.asp?id=5064

On Saturday, April 10th, 8 students of the Grundtvig project "Without Barriers" travelled to Lugo with the team members of Monterroso for a day with the football team "Azkar Lugo", team of the National league of football indoor.



During the morning, we visited the facilities of the Club, accompanied by representatives of the club: trophy room, gymnasium...
After the visit to the facilities, we were invited to lunch and we received different gifts among which was a first team shirt.



In the afternoon, we attended the Azkar Lugo match where we could enjoy exciting moments wearing the club shirts.



We want to thank them for their invitation and sharing a day with us.

The activity was reflected for the regional media and for the Club’s Web. These are the links:

http://www.lavozdegalicia.com/lugo/2010/04/11/0003_8410623.htm

http://www.pronelugoad.com/gal/amplia.asp?id=5064

Hello!

My name is Grete Åkerstrøm and I work with Bente and Knut at Fredheim in Kongsberg, Norway. I am a teacher and I work hard to help the participants at school to learn Norwegian and to help them to understand and take part in the Norwegian society.
My "Without barriers" - project is to motivate - and perhaps push a little - women who mainly go to school and then stay at home doing housework, to be physically active. Some of them are worried about their health and some have put on a lot of weight since they came to Norway.
As a start, I managed to make an appointment at a training centre where only women are allowed to come and do sport. We went there free for 4 days, and had a lot of fun, and I think 2 of the women will become members and start regular training. A small victory!
The next step is to motivate to join a walking group for one and a half hour every week. I will try to find some Norwegian women to join the group, too. "Walk and talk - group" will become a win - win situation. Most of the refugees do not speak much Norwegian ouside school, since they mostly stay at home with their family.
Though I am fond of my job, I have time to do other things as well. If you take a look at my blog, you will see what I spend a lot of time doing - and a lot of money, too.......
http://www.lappe-grete.blogspot.com/ There might even be a picture of me in my colourful jacket on the blog!
And just to show you on the picture above - the spring is about to come to Kongsberg! The snow will probably dissappear before you all come in June!

Feelings about my arrival and stay at Kongsberg reception center.

Thoughts from Ibn S. A. (26.01.2010), asylumnseeker living in Kongsberg

Long time after my arrival to the reception center, I did not know anything about what is going to happen to me. I slept with my eyes wide open because I did not know the other persons I shared house with. Were they good or bad people? I did not know, even though we come from the same country. All humans are different, and I was afraid of everyone.

Months passed by until we finally got to know each other. Who were these persons now living with me, I wondered. Now I know better. I know who they are by names, I know what part of Somalia they come from, I know a little about their history. But that’s all. I sleep better at night now, but my days always start with the same question: ”What will happen to me today?” My brain is totally out of focus, I have to do something about my case! I do not know anything about my future and what will become of me in the end.

I called some friends of mine some days ago, and asked them about the system here in Norway. They gave me some positive but also some negative answers. Since I’m in a reception center here in Norway, I might just as well get a negative answer from the Government, and that means that I have to og back home. Home to what, I wonder…

I have to keep hope up, hope for a positive answer. Insha Allah! What else is there for me, other than hoping for a positive outcome of my case, so I can stay in Norway, create a new future.

One of m friends live here in Kongsberg now with his family. When he lived in another reception center he had to open a hatch in the wall if he needed to talk to the employees. The rest you know, Henri……. The reception center here in Kongsberg has a much better system. We live free, in normal houses. We can go out, visit friends, talk with people, have a walk in the town. We can come to you to talk in your office. We are all humans, not animals! That is something the Norwegian Government should think about.

I have lived here more than one year now. Your office (Hero) helps us allot. There are many o fus who do not think so, you know, but I really do! But maybe – if your office can be even better talking to us – like you are doing now, I believe that can help many more of us inmates. We need to be listened to, to express our feelings and maybe our despair. I know that can be difficult, I am only one, and you have many more persons and houses to tend to. But now I see that you really try to help us, and it gives me a good feeling.

(Later this winter):

My life has changed, I got a positive answer from the Government, I thank Allah for this! Finally my life can start again, it’s like being reborn! Now I wait to see which municipality will accept me. In the meantime I attend Norwegian course at Fredheim school. That helps me allot, I learn Norwegian so that I can communicate with people. There are many nice teachers there, and that make me learn faster. I’m more motivated now! I hope I can continue to stay here in Kongsberg. I long for my wife to come (she still is in Somalia). But first I have to become integrated in the Norwegian society and get an education. Life is ahead of me now, and finally I’m happy!

Interviewer:

Henri Filmand Komegne

La radio con "Sin Barreras" - The radio with "Without Barriers"

El jueves 1 de marzo la Radio Galega dedicó un espacio a nuestra actividad del proyecto Grundtvig “Sin Barreras” realizando el Camino de Santiago.
Os dejamos un enlace al programa de Radio

On Thursday, March 1st, the Radio of Galicia dedicated a radio program to the activity of our Grundtvig project "Without Barriers" walking the "Camino".
You can find the program in the next link


http://www.crtvg.es/reproductor/inicio.asp?canal=radio&hora=04/04/2010%2012:05:00&fecha=01/04/2010&arquivo=1&programa=AQU%CD%20GALICIA