St. Pauli Refugee Welcome Space

The situation of refugees, who are fleeing civil war and dictatorships, is confronting many Germans and other Europeans in a very real sense for the first time. News, seen in the abstract between the soaps and bedtime, is now concrete, manifesting itself as actual people on their doorstep.

 

Some heartless idiots react with hate and even violence. But many say “Refugees welcome!” and are offering their help.

 

We at Lemonaid want to do our bit, and have set up the “St Pauli Refugee Welcome Space”. It’s a central meeting point for refugees and supporters, with space for campaigns, courses and also to rest and retreat. You can find this in the Rindermarkthallen in Hamburg – we’ve cleared some of our offices for it.

 

We see this place as an expansion of our everyday work. Selling Lemonaid and ChariTea, and supporting our charitable organisation, is a way of fighting the reasons why people become refugees in the first place – exploitation, global inequality and environmental destruction. But whilst these things exist, wars and refugees remain a tragic reality.

 

We’re looking forward to at least four weeks of this space, with exciting initiatives and people who see opportunity in diversity. There’ll be over 2000 square feet of German courses, play spaces for children, legal advice, sport and lots more.

 

Most of all, we’re looking forward to getting to know our new neighbours from Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, and wherever else people have had to leave their homes.

 

After a great time in the Welcome Space the Space is closed for now.

 

 

Still feel free to contact Frederike with your ideas: frederike.schoser@lemonaid.de

 

Welcome to St. Pauli!