It is often difficult for refugee mothers to plan activities without having their children close by. Traumatic war experiences and the fact that the father of the family remains in the home country intensify the women's desire to have their children near them. Therefore, in parallel, volunteers take care of their children in the same room. "When I see that my son is doing well and can play with the other children, I can focus more on learning German," said one mother participating in the program.
The small group of 15 women is taught by qualified German teachers, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The course content is specifically geared to the mothers' situation and covers topics such as family life, child-rearing, visiting the pediatrician, daycare, or the playground.
"Our offer is intentionally aimed exclusively at Ukrainian mothers who have fled. We want to create a protected context for the exchange of experiences," explained Michael Zikeli, General Director of the "Don Bosco Sozialwerk." The communal lunch following the classes further strengthens the sense of community.
Without adequate language skills, it is difficult to start life in a new country. Volunteer assistants also accompany mothers and their children on excursions to cultural, social, recreational, and educational services in the city of Vienna. And the knowledge they gain in German and the information they receive about the opportunities available in Vienna also enable the children to be better off in their new home.
This is not an initiative that started today: the first language course was held from May to July 2022; the second series of courses is currently running from September 2022 to January 2023. The courses are held in cooperation with the Inzersdorf-Neustift Parish Association.
The course, which is totally free of charge for participants - including tickets to Vienna's cultural attractions - is expected to continue for a third cycle. "We hope to get permanent funding for a teacher and an assistant for the children," Mr. Zikeli reported.
Founded in 2002, the "Don Bosco Sozialwerk" center in its variety of services includes housing for refugee orphans, three youth centers opened in Amstetten, Vienna-Stadlau, and Vienna-Inzersdorf, and the "AMOS" educational project, which aims to accompany refugee youth in their education, from literacy to basic courses, bridging courses and special courses. As different as the young people who attend the activities of "Don Bosco Sozialwerk" are, they all have one thing in common: hope for a better future! "And that is what we are working for, inspired by Don Bosco. For young people to succeed!," they say, to conclude, from the Salesian center. For more information, visit: https://sozialwerk.at/
