Music and integration: Malteser project strengthens children in Kaiserslautern

Music and integration: Malteser project strengthens children in Kaiserslautern

A lot is currently happening in Kaiserslautern in the area of ​​integration and language promotion. The Malteser Integrationshilfe project “Melodies of Language Acquisition: Intercultural and Universal” supports children and young people in their linguistic, musical and social development. The whole thing is supported by emergency aid of 5,000 euros from the children's aid campaign Herzenssache e.V., which is supported by SWR, SR and the Sparda Bank, among others. This commitment is particularly important because the target group includes around 60 children and young people, many of whom come from the socially disadvantaged area of ​​Asternweg.

What exactly can participants expect? You can look forward to a variety of activities, such as singing international children's and folk songs, drumming on rhythm instruments, dancing, experiencing nature and eating together. The parents are not left out either; they are actively involved as supporters and motivators. The exchange between the families and those responsible is an important part of making the integration even more successful.

Commitment and collaborations

The Maltese in Kaiserslautern can look back on a long tradition of helping with integration. In addition to the current project, they have already earned the Integration Prize from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in 2020. In collaboration with schools, clubs, accommodation for refugees and the Kaiserslautern Integration and Migration Network, broad support for the participation and integration of children and young people is ensured. The Maltese's commitment also shows how important it is to help socially disadvantaged people of all ages in order to improve their living situation. As the Herzenssache Kaiserslautern e.V. association emphasizes, advantages such as a culturally diverse environment are simultaneously associated with major challenges in the social area.

But it's not just the Maltese people who do valuable work. The federal program “Social Cohesion – On Site. Networked. Connected.” supports numerous projects that are dedicated to intercultural cooperation. Around 300 projects promote activities that bring people with and without a migration background together and promote social understanding, as can be found on the BAMF website.

Looking into the future

There are still places available for those interested in the “Melodies of Language Acquisition” project, which is a great opportunity for many parents in the region to find a meaningful leisure activity for their children. Michelle Sturgis-Kratz, the head of the integration service in Kaiserslautern, is available as a contact person. She can be reached on mobile at 0 151 2950 3945 or by email at michelle.sturgis-kratz@malteser.org. Further information can also be found on the Malteser website www.malteser-kaiserslautern.de.

Overall, the project shows how important it is to create tangible support and meeting spaces for intercultural exchange. This type of engagement is crucial to strengthening social interaction and reducing prejudices. Ultimately, we all benefit from living together harmoniously in a diverse society.

For further information about Herzenssache Kaiserslautern e.V. please visit herzenssache-kl.de or find out more about the federal program on the website BAMF.