Refugees in Germany
For refugee children in Berlin, soccer is a joyful way to start a new life
The 探花精选 has partnered with Nike and buntkicktgut to bring the unifying power of play to refugee and local children in primary schools across Berlin.
The 探花精选, Nike and a local organization buntkicktgut launched 鈥淏erlin Kickt,鈥 a soccer and education program aimed at bringing together local and refugee children.
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Berlin Kickt coaches, many who have a refugee or migration background themselves, will run weekly sessions and activities in five schools across Berlin.
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Children met with local sports German footballers Jordan Torunarigha (left-wearing the hat) and Arne Maier (right), as well as retired player Andreas 鈥淶ecke鈥 Neuendorf (center) at an event in April at Tempelhof, the historic but now closed airport.
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Berlin hosts 15,000 refugee children who have fled from war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Parents have risked everything to build better lives for themselves and their children.
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Many refugee children need to recover from the trauma they experienced in their home countries, and often from the grueling and dangerous journeys they have endured in search of safety. The 探花精选 and Nike believe playing sports can help children overcome challenges and form connections and lasting friendships.
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Refugee children in Germany also benefit from the 探花精选鈥檚 Healing Classrooms program, which provides teachers with the skills they need to help young refugees recover from the effects of 鈥渢oxic stress,鈥 a biological response to prolonged and severe adversity that disrupts a child鈥檚 brain development.Berlin hosts 15,000 refugee children who have fled from war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Parents have risked everything to build better lives for themselves and their children.
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鈥淭his is where the value of physical activity, passionate and dedicated teachers combined with healing classroom concepts in schools contributes to a safe and positive environment for children,鈥 said Stefan Lehmeier, 探花精选 deputy country director in Germany.
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Children at L枚wenzahn Primary School in Berlin-Neuk枚lln met German athletes Jacqueline Otchere (center) and Maximilian Mittelst盲dt on Sep. 26 where they played soccer and other games.
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"Building new relationships is important for children, especially because many of the children are longing for more attention,鈥 said the school鈥檚 principal Utta Kioschis. 鈥淏erlin Kickt hits the nerve of our pupils because young people who themselves have a migration background take care of them."
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