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

Reunión en Monterroso - Meeting in Monterroso

El pasado viernes, 26 de marzo, se reunió el grupo “sin barreras” de Monterroso para recibir a un visitante muy esperado: el Prior del Monasterio de Samos, D. José Luis Vélez.
Desde nuestra visita al Monasterio, en la segunda etapa del Camino de Santiago, esperábamos la presencia del Prior en Monterroso y, efectivamente, no defraudó.
Con la temática de “Religión como nexo de culturas”, pronto su conferencia entusiasmó al grupo de trabajo “sin barreras”. Su charla fue dinámica, permitiendo la intervención de los alumnos del Centro en todo momento, lo que resultó ameno, instructivo y muy enriquecedor para todos.



El grupo insistió en que el Prior volviera de nuevo otro día y, también D. José Luis quedó muy impresionado de nuestro Centro por lo que planteó la posibilidad de volver otra vez más, esta vez con monjes de su Monasterio para que conocieran la realidad del Centro Penitenciario de Monterroso.
Esperamos que este encuentro se produzca pronto.
Como siempre en nuestro proyecto, también nuestro objetivo es dar a conocer en la prensa nuestras actividades, y para ello contactamos con los periódicos regionales y locales.



On Friday, March 26th, we joined the group "without barriers" of Monterroso to receive a long-awaited visitor: the Prior of the Monastery of Samos, Mr. Jose Luis Velez.
Since our visit to the Monastery, in the second stage of the Camino de Santiago, we expected the presence of the Prior in Monterroso and, indeed, it did not disappoint us.
With the theme of "Religion as a nexus of cultures," the conference soon excited the working group "without barriers". His speech was dynamic, allowing the involvement of the students of our Center at all times, which was entertaining, instructive and very rewarding for everybody.



The group insisted that the Prior returned again and also Mr. José Luis was very impressed by our Centre which raised the possibility of returning again, that time with monks from his monastery. So they could know the reality of the Pentitentiary Centre of Monterroso.
We hope this meeting will happen soon.
As always in our project, our aim is to publicize our activities in the Media, and we contacted with the regional and local newspapers.

Camino de Santiago 5ª etapa - 5ª stage

El miércoles, 25 de marzo, realizamos la 5ª etapa del Camino de Santiago, entre Palas de Rei y la Castañeda.

On Wednesday, March 25, we realised the 5th stage of the “Camino de Santiago”, from Palas de Rei to Castañeda.



Nuestra etapa comenzó con una recepción oficial por parte del Concello de Palas de Rei, donde fuimos entrevistados por el Gabinete de Prensa del Ayuntamiento, a quienes detallamos los objetivos de nuestro proyecto Grundtvig y, posteriormente, se nos ofrecieron obsequios relacionados con el Camino de Santiago en Galicia.

This stage began with an official reception in the Town Council of Palas de Rei, where we were interviewed by the Press Office of the Council. Here we detailed the objectives of our Grundtvig project and then we were offered some gifts related to the Camino de Santiago in Galicia.














La etapa comenzó con malos presagios en el cielo. Efectivamente, la lluvia nos acompañó durante la primera hora de Camino, pero poco a poco las nubes se fueron despejando y pudimos disfrutar de una jornada apacible.

We set off the journey looking at the bad omens in the sky. Indeed, rain accompanied us during the first hour of the way, but little by little the clouds started to clear and we could enjoy quite a lovely day.














Compartimos nuestro camino con peregrinos de muy diversas nacionalidades: españoles, alemanes, ingleses… y hasta dos peregrinas de las Islas Feroe.

We shared our journey with pilgrims from different nationalities: Spanish, German, English, and even two girls who came from Faroe Islands.














Mediada la etapa, se desplazaron 2 periodistas del Diario “el progreso” para realizar una entrevista “in situ” y así pudimos explicar el desarrollo de nuestro particular Camino y de nuestro proyecto Grundtvig “Sin barreras”

Halfway two journalists of the newspaper "El Progreso" met us for an interview "in situ" and we could explain the development of our particular “Camino” and our Grundtvig project "Without Barriers"



Los diarios locales y regionales publicaron artículos sobre nuestra actividad al día siguiente.

The local and regional newspaper published some articles about our activity the next day.

http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/lugo/2010/03/25/0003_8377774.htm





Finalizada la etapa, nos desplazamos al Castillo de Pambre, donde pudimos disfrutar de su impresionante belleza y tuvimos el privilegio de acceder a su interior y recorrerlo.

Once the stage was finished, we went to The Pambre Castle, where we could admire its breathtaking beauty and we had the privilege of getting into it and having a look.


Como en otras etapas, tenemos que destacar la buena convivencia del grupo y su implicación a la hora de seguir recogiendo en sus diarios las anécdotas y vivencias de la etapa para reflejarlas en el Diario final de nuestro Camino “Sin Barreras”.

As in other stages, we must emphasize the conviviality of the group and their involvement in collecting the stories and experiences of the journey in their diaries so that we can show them in the final report of our Camino "Without Barriers."