Become an E-Mentor| Digital language tandem for refugees

In order to find one's way in a new country, to reduce resentment and to develop personally, exchange is the be-all and end-all. A tandem consists of a mentor and a mentee, i.e. a person with refugee experience.

Both mentees and mentors often have a planned daily routine and sometimes very different rhythms. Bringing together people working shifts who don't want to lose their hard-won German skills with native speakers who have a 9-to-5 job, for example, is sometimes difficult or impossible. For such situations and of course for all those who simply want to go digital or are afraid of meeting a new person in person, we offer online tandems.

Our mentors report enthusiastically about finding friends beyond the usual bubble, finding abstract world events suddenly comprehensible or simply having a really good time with their tandem.

We, the project team, choose the mentee and do everything to build up a valuable and effective tandem relationship. If it doesn't work out, there is nothing to stop you from trying again.

From us, for you, with you:

• Online workshops and trainings of our network (MentorRing Hamburg) e.g. on anti-racism
• Digital or hybrid meetings with other mentors (4x a year)
• Online language café (every two weeks)
• Weekly office hours

Your Tasks

Once a tandem pair has been found, they meet independently about once a week for one to two hours online, e.g. via video chat. How you spend this time is completely different and does not have to be limited to learning German - you can be creative with the format, expand it with other media or simply play sink ships.

You decide, the tandem team is always there to advise and accompany you if necessary. In the case of an online tandem, we will of course advise you on digital tools in particular.

What's needed

As a mentor, you ideally enter into a longer-term mentorship with a person with a history of flight. Therefore, the following things are important to us:

1. Openness towards all people regardless of their origin, religion, sexual identity or gender
2. Sensitivity towards the history of other people
3. You should have time once a week and be reliable - two central factors for a successful sponsorship
4. You should speak German at a good or first language level and know life in Germany well.
5. Willingness to take an active part in the partnership
6. You don't have to be a digital nerd, but you should be interested in digital communication.

You should be able to answer the following points with "yes":

• I have time to meet online with my mentee once a week.
• I am familiar with online communication tools or would like to get involved with them
• I am open and reliable
• I am in a stable phase of life and have at least 6 months.
• I am willing to take responsibility
• I am sensitive in dealing with problems.
• I have already had first experiences with people with a refugee background or I am willing to inform myself about the situation of refugees.
• I am over 18 years old.
• I speak German well to very well and know my way around Germany.

Time required

Once a tandem pair has been found, they meet independently of us as an organisation about once a week for one to two hours via video chat. What is done during this time is very different and does not have to be limited to learning German. At the beginning we think about a possible goal together, then the tandem decides for themselves how to spend their time. We are there to advise and accompany them.

This project is location independent.

Insel Hilft e.V. is a non-profit association for voluntary refugee assistance in Wilhelmsburg. In cooperation with numerous initiatives and projects, our volunteers provide fast and uncomplicated support. Whether it's neighbourhood celebrations, assistance with visits to the authorities or intercultural exchange - the association lives a warm welcome culture and is always happy to receive donations, new ideas and helping hands.