By Björn Trautwein
A place of warmth that remained cold for a long time: This door was closed for three and a half years, but on Wednesday the Bahnhofsmission at the zoo reopened to guests. BZ was there.
No protection from the rain, no place to warm up: In spring 2020, the Bahnhofsmission at the zoo had to close its rooms due to the pandemic measures. Food and coffee were only available on hand; in the heat, snow and frost, the guests had to stay outside. Until Wednesday! The station mission is open again just in time for the start of cold relief.
Gabi (67) has been volunteering at the zoo for a year. On Wednesday she welcomed guests back to the facility for the first time Photo: Stefanie Herbst
At 10:31 a.m., deacon and department head Michael Kraft (40) and the new director of the facility, Sünje Hansen (28), pushed open the heavy glass door at Jebensstrasse 5 and invited the first guests into the warmth. “Welcome, you can now eat inside again.”
Deacon and leader Michael Kraft, 40, in conversation with Michael O. (54). In addition to coffee and bread rolls, the Bahnhofsmission now also offers advice Photo: Stefanie Herbst
Igor (47) from Slovenia and Wladimir from Serbia were among the first to take a seat at one of the six large tables. The two homeless people live by collecting bottles and could hardly believe their luck. “So you can warm up and rest for a while,” said Igor happily.
Igor (r.) from Slovakia and Wladimir from Serbia were among the 240 homeless people who were in the station mission on Wednesday Photo: Stefanie Herbst
Michael (54) got stranded in Berlin on his way to Oberhausen and lost all of his things: “No one at the police wanted to help me, but someone here listened to me straight away. The helpers here are simply great,” he says happily.
There are now 30 seats in the Bahnhofsmission hall, plus a small table for consultation. It is always open from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Before and after there are further food servings at the window. The warm heart of Berlin beats again. “It’s a great feeling to see our rooms full of life again,” said Sünje Hansen happily, “especially because we see how good it is for our guests.”
Volunteers prepare food and drinks in the small kitchen behind the counter Photo: Stefanie Herbst
Ten volunteers were on duty throughout the day, buttering bread, pouring coffee and checking in at the door. “We are very happy that we can come into closer contact with people again and offer a place to warm up,” said Michael Kraft.
Navi (26) lives in Nauen and warmed up briefly in the rooms on Wednesday Photo: Stefanie Herbst
And they came in large numbers on Wednesday: 240 visitors warmed themselves yesterday with rolls, cakes and fruit. A successful comeback for the poorest in the city!