What we stand for

Initiative „Willkommen in Gransee“ (Welcome in Gransee)

The right for political asylum is a human right which is guaranteed in § 14 of the General Resolution for Human Rights agreed upon by the UN. We, as members of the initiative „Willkommen in Gransee“ , declare their full support for the refugees to obtain fair legal proceedings in their pursuit of political asylum and in their prospects for a dignified life in society.

We are aware that almost nobody will leave his home country without necessity and that those that come to us have suffered terrible things in their country of origin and during their process of escape.

When they arrive in Germany, they are confronted with many difficulties: they are alone in a strange surrounding, are not permitted to work, most often don´t speak the language and mostly do not have any knowledge about their rights. Nor do they know anything about the specific legal requirements for obtaining political asylum., which will be decisive for their future life.

Confronted with this difficult situation it is our aim to support those refugees that come to us:

by doing things together and through personal contact. We are offering to help them in getting to know our town and surrounding area and we offer to accompany them when going to official places, to the supermarket or other things they have to do. It is our aim to meet the people who come to us at eye level and to treat them with respect. We want to work together with them so that they feel welcome in our community and be respected well.

You are welcome to inform yourself on our internet-site, get in touch with us and join us in our work.

 

Activity and Interest Groups for

 

Practical Support

The Practical Support Group organizes support for those refugees who need help with their daily needs and problems. Our aim is to offer a „welcoming ritual“, help them in getting around the town and getting familiar with the new surroundings as well as participate in common free time activities. We have already collected bicycles for their use with an accompanying bike repair help and are offering courses in painting. Other ideas are: cooking together, cultivating a garden, doing sports, music and sewing. We can provide personal contacts to people from our town to help in day-to-day things like shopping together, dealing with authorities etc.

We are looking forward in having other people join us in our work. Contact:

 

German Language

Knowing German is essential for coping with everyday life, getting your rights and participating in society. Refugees in our country not having any legal recognition for staying in the country are not able to attend German language classes free of charge – contrary to the practice in Scandinavian countries. The German Language group, therefore, has 2 main foci in their work. On the one hand we are aiming at establishing a pool of translators for different languages who will assist the refugees in dealing with state officials, medical doctors or in consultations between parents and teachers in schools and child day-care facilitites. A second focus is learning to communicate in German. We are in exchange with local day-care facilities and schools in order to support them in their efforts of German language instruction for children and adolescents. But also adults should have the possibility to learn German from the beginning of their stay here. As volunteers the members of our group are going to offer German classes for refugees in Gransee free of charge.

We are still looking for further volunteers, so if you want to join us and speak one or more foreign languages, please contact us under