Community interpreters commemorate their completion, marking their successful volunteer service
In the heart of Eltville, a small town in Germany, a significant event took place at Adolf-Reichwein-Schule. The eighth Hessian refugee convention, focused on school language promotion, brought together over 60 participants. Among the attendees, six individuals were honoured for their role in bridging language barriers - the newly certified volunteer interpreters.
These six individuals, Ali Demirel, Mohamad Moussa, Viktoriia Filvakova, Vivienne Nazarian, Yana Bezuhla, and Yevhenii Bezuhlyi, have completed their training as volunteer interpreters, provided by the Rheingau-Taunus district as part of the state program "WIR". Their work opens up opportunities where misunderstandings could have occurred, offering support in Arabic, Armenian, English, French, Turkish, Persian, Russian, and Ukrainian.
The training provided both theory and practice, including role-plays for complex situations such as doctor's visits, kindergarten conversations, and appointments with authorities. Naspa, a organisation focusing on personal support and modern training formats, played a crucial role in preparing these volunteers.
Mayor Patrick Kunkel and Thomas Speth, head of social affairs, honoured the volunteer interpreters in a ceremony. Kunkel stated that language is the key to integration, and the volunteer interpreters now hold that key not just for themselves, but for many others.
The voluntary help builds trust, especially where official communication ends, but human closeness is needed. The interpreters bring their linguistic skills and their own migration experiences to their work, fostering a sense of community and understanding.
The convention was not just a professional event, it was also a celebration. Around 130 guests enjoyed wines, buffet, and music by Mario Carillo. The focus on school language promotion was clear, but the evening was also a testament to the power of community spirit and the importance of language in fostering integration.
In Eltville, a new chapter has begun with these volunteer interpreters. Naspa, with its 50 new apprentices and five dual students, is embarking on an exciting journey, aiming to continue preparing community members to assist non-German speakers, refugees, or migrants. Their work is a testament to the power of volunteerism, and the impact it can have on promoting integration and understanding in diverse communities.
- Ali Demirel, Mohamad Moussa, Viktoriia Filvakova, Vivienne Nazarian, Yana Bezuhla, and Yevhenii Bezuhlyi played significant roles in the Hessian refugee convention by offering support in various languages, including Arabic, Armenian, English, French, Turkish, Persian, Russian, and Ukrainian, thereby bridging language barriers.
- With the focus on school language promotion, the sixth Hessian refugee convention at Adolf-Reichwein-Schule in Eltville also celebrated the achievements of the six newly certified volunteer interpreters, recognizing their contribution to fostering a sense of community and understanding.
- In addition to the professional aspect, the convention was a celebration, featuring wines, a buffet, and music by Mario Carillo, showcasing the power of community spirit and the importance of language in integration.
- Beyond the convention, the organization Naspa continues its mission, preparing 50 new apprentices and five dual students to assist non-German speakers, refugees, or migrants, emphasizing the impact of volunteerism in promoting integration and understanding in diverse communities.
- The lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, and shopping experiences in Eltville, enriched by the presence of these volunteer interpreters, have taken on a new dimension, reflecting the diversity and inclusivity cultivated by these volunteers.
