New activities await us this summer as we begin our new program to help children affected by migration. The MINT program (Mentoring for integration of children affected by migration) helps to empower local European youth to be mentors for migrant children in Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovenia. The program encourages the youth mentors to engage with migrant youth in integration activities such as sports, cultural outings, and language learning classes.
From July 1st to 2nd, Terre des hommes Romania hosted a training of volunteers for local Romanian youth in Predeal, Romania. The program consisted of workshops about migration, children’s rights, brain storming activities and it was full of learning, social interactions and energy.
Many migrant populations reaching Europe include children who have to adapt to a new country, culture, and language. This can be a difficult and overwhelming experience, so pairing migrant youth with local youth will provide them with a friend and a support system while they adjust to their new environment. It will also allow the mentors and migrant youth to develop new skills and attitudes.
The mentors will host integration activities with migrant youth over the next several months to help them increase their self-esteem and confidence. The MINT project will also be providing support to migrant youth with educational videos, language training and integration support.
This activity is funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.