Students donate money to their new neighbours for German lessons

The children and teachers at the Phorms Campus Hamburg organised a charity run for the refugees in their neighbourhood. Every student organised their own sponsors – parents, uncles and aunts, neighbours – who donated a certain amount for each lap they competed. After the run was cancelled twice due to poor weather conditions, it was finally held in June. A total of EUR 12,122.72 was raised. ‘The result exceeded all our expectations,’ said Head of School Dr Karl-Heinz Korsten. The money was donated to the refugee aid organisation fördern und wohnen for the refugee housing on Friesenstrasse in Hammerbrook.

‘We’re so happy about this incredibly generous donation,’ said Fabius Schlink, employee at fördern und wohnen and Accommodation and Social Affairs Manager at the refugee housing complex. ‘Language is absolutely crucial for integration, which is why the money will be used to fund language development. We’re initiating two new projects: a drumming course and a mother-and-child course, in which people can come together and learn German.’ Student Julienne (10 years old) from year 4 would like to see other schools organise similar projects. ‘We are a small school,’ she says. ‘In bigger schools, even more children could contribute towards the donation.’

At the start of the school year the Phorms Campus Hamburg collected beginners’ German school books, smartphones, waterproof clothing and toiletries. The school also gathered Christmas donations and invited refugee children to after-school care and the nursery. ‘This strengthens the school community’s solidarity with the refugees in our district,’ said Dr Karl-Heinz Korsten.