La friend’s outstretched hand alleviates difficulties, especially if you are in a new country, far from home. They also confirm this the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)the association Refugees Welcome Italy and the International Cooperation Asylum Immigration Center (CIAC) which, thanks to the support ofItalian Buddhist Institute Soka Gakkai through the 8 × 1000 funds, they promote the project Community Matching – Find a Buddy to foster the integration of refugees through the activation of mentoring relationships between volunteers and refugees.
Human relations against barriers and prejudices
«The social inclusion of refugees is not only guaranteed by living and working autonomy, the cornerstones of integration policies. It is equally essential to foster relationships of friendship and mutual support that allow them to face small and big challenges of daily life, sharing moments of leisure, cultural exchange and emotional support “he says. Sara Consulate of Refugees Welcome Italia.
The project is currently active in Bari, Turin, Rome, Milan, Palermo and Naples, municipalities with which UNHCR has developed a path of good practices for integration and, recently, they have signed the Integration card.
How to become a “Buddy”
Looking for or becoming a “buddy” is simple, just apply on the UNHCR platformwill then be the operators of the three promoters to create a “Matching” by combining a volunteer and a refugee with similar needs and interests, analyzed during a motivational interview.
As the Consulate points out, refugees with international protection – the only fundamental requirement for accessing the project – they become aware of this opportunity through the awareness-raising activities promoted in the reception centers, where some still livethrough the associative realities with which they collaborate or on social networks, on which they are equally active.
Mutual enrichment between volunteers and refugees
“For us it is important to bring refugees back to the center, not considering them passive recipients of services, but people with human and professional qualities on which to be able to base a reciprocal exchange” reaffirms the Consulate. “Building bonds of friendshipin fact, it allows refugee people to expand their social network, get to know the area through the eyes of those who were born and live there, improve their knowledge of the Italian language, discover new opportunities and have support also for practical matters. But, at the same time, it allows the buddieswith varied cultural and social backgrounds, to increase their knowledge, explore different cultures and actively participate in the integration of refugees by promoting the value of hospitality that annihilates prejudice“.
The friendship between Larissa and Benedetta
As it happened to Larissa, 28-year-old Cameroonian, that thanks to the project Community Matchingfound in Benedetta, a Roman of the same age, a friend who helped her to overcome the sense of isolation.
«I have lived in Italy for more than two years, but, apart from the interactions with the operators of the second reception center where I live, I have not had many opportunities to meet local people. I felt very lonely and wanted to make new friends. So, when they talked to me about this project, I thought it was an excellent opportunity to expand my network of relationships “he says, not hiding the fear and prejudices he initially had towards Italy.
To help her to overcome all fears and to have greater security in relationships was, in fact, Benedetta with whom she carries on a relationship of friendship, marked by walks, confidences and sharing. Even the Italian girl of the same age, driven by the desire to contribute in its small way to the construction of a more inclusive and supportive societyis learning a lot from Larissa about the history of Cameroon, about music and about culinary specialties.
Yousuf and Paola, united by their passion for cinema
Another special bond that breaks down cultural barriers and facilitates the path of autonomy is also the one born between Yousuf, a young Libyan, and Paola, a 50-year-old theater director. The passion for cinema acted as a bridge between two so distant worlds: «I immediately felt a strong energy charge» confides Yousuf who, with a past as a rap singer, despite the bad weather of life, cultivates the dream of working in the world of film production.
«We are a river full of artistic ideas – explains Paola – between a dinner at my house with my husband and our friends and an Italian lesson, we are planning a podcast together. By the way, lately, Yousuf wrote the plot of a comedy about the difficulty of being a migrant in Italy and I found a producer interested in his project“.
The hand also extended to Ukrainian refugees
These are just a few examples of, so far, 100 “pairings” made successfully and monitored periodically. “The minimum duration of the matching is 6 months, but then many relationships continue autonomously without any obligation to respect, guided by the mere relational need that has become a solid emotional bond” says Consulate announcing that, to make up for the feeling of bewilderment felt by many Ukrainians who fled the war and landed in Italy, the first matches are about to start for them too.
“The project – he is keen to underline – is mainly aimed at refugees who have been living in Italy for some time and have already completed the bureaucratic process, but, in the face of this emergency, we have decided to reach out to help ensure a more welcoming and supportive community also to Ukrainian people who find themselves having to face an unexpected challenge in our country “.
iO Donna © REPRODUCTION RESERVED