In just two weeks' time, on 13.06.19, the German-Polish Specialist Conference on the conclusion of the Interreg project, „Groß für Klein – Duzi dla małych” - Big for Small will be taking place, and the LaNa Team are rin the midst of preparations for it. Anika Hähner is preparing the cultural programme for this special event. She's a volunteer at the PARITÄTische and in an interview has set out her experiences and plans.
One year of additional support from a volunteer young person from the neighbouring country: this is made possible by bi-national volunteer programmes of the Paritätischer Freiwilligendienst Saxony [Equal Representation Volunteer Service for Equality in Saxony]. This firstly means support in everyday education, secondly these young people in bring their culture and their language to enrich the institution concerned.
Anika Hähner has taken this opportunity and is completing a
practical placement at the “Tecza”
School in Zgorzelec.
But
how did it come about? After leaving secondary school, she wanted to orientate
herself and go abroad, in order to improve her language or learn a new one.
Actually, she wanted to "do something with her hands", a craft, but
then she happened to learn about the PARITÄTische. After the
application formalities, everything moved quite quickly and she was enthusiastic
about the possibility of the PARITÄTische Voluntary Services in Saxony. When
she chose her placement, she chose the "Tecza" school in Zgorzelec,
where she mostly provides support in the subject of German.
What does a normal day look like? After breakfast, she goes along to classes taught by the German teacher, where they work together on the teaching material. Sometimes she is also allowed to work independently with the students on content and reports, with a smile, that she now finally understands what it used to be like for her teachers. On some days, when German-Polish encounters take place, she goes to the DPFA – Görlitz Education Centre to work in the Rainbow Primary School. On these special days, the children particularly look forward to meeting her and the regular joint activities they do with the children from the neighbouring country.
As part of this voluntary service, one of her tasks is to prepare the cultural programme for the final conference of the German-Polish Interreg project "Groß für Klein - Duzi dla małych - Big for Small" After agreeing with LaNa on the framework of the programme, "I thought about a little story, picked out two songs - one in Polish and one in German” - and now they are rehearsing hard. It goes without saying that Biedronka and Maus both speak in their own language.
Annika Hähner has already gained a lot from the time spent in the Polish school, and she now knows more exactly where her professional journey should take her. She wants to stay working in the intercultural field, and languages suit her. She especially appreciates the opportunity to learn a new language and at the same time to get to know the culture of her neighbouring country, Poland.
Dear Mrs Hähner, we are already very excited about the German-Polish Conference, and we would like to thank you very much for your support and wish you all the best for your future plans.
