In english

Hi all you english reading people. We have translated some of the information on our blog.

On the top of this page you will find the latest new, and in the bottom you will find information on Utekontakten and the project in general.

NEWS:

http://prosjekttakknemlighet.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/farewell-david/

An unforgettable week.

It has been three weeks since we returned from Hungary – much richer than when we left. After a fantastic week in Balatonlelle we went home with our bakcpacks stuffed with good memories. Memories of touching encounters between people, the light wich was lit in the children’s eyes, the gratitude the people of ADRA showed us and the strong relations between us all.

We had been planning and thinking about all possible scenarios before we left, but still we were uncertain about what we would meet in Hungary.

If some of us had any worries before we left, we really could put them aside when we first got there. We were accommodated and provided in the best thinkable ways. They did not know what good they could do for us, even though we were the ones who had travelled this long way to help them. We were told that the support form Nittedal was the major reason that this camp ever took place.

By playing games, bathing, sports and gestures we step by step got to know the about 100 kids who participated at the camp. The language barrier got smaller and smaller when we dared to let our selves loose through miming, pointing and using the adults who knew english as translators. After a while we learned how to say ”hello”, ”thank you” and ”goodbye”, and some of the kids spoke little bit english or german.

The final proof that the language barrier had fallen was when the entire camp sang our project song together with us – in norwegian! We performed with english children songs almost every night. We also sang our project song wich is about our thoughts, feelings and motivation for this project. One night the lyrics was on the big screen, and all of the camp participants sang the the chorus together with us. It was an almost unreal experience. We had been singing these words back in Norway for so many months, and now we were there singing the song with the romani kids and ADRA people. It was fantastic!

Our girls; Line, Charoline, Synne and Tonje, did an incredible job at the camp. They managed to put their own needs aside to make the best week possible for the kids – and the kids loved them. They threw themselves into activities they were unfamiliar to and challanged themselves in many different ways. Way to go!

We also had Line’s mother, Solveig, with us together with Johannes, grand son of Anni from Hjelpesendinger. They made the group complete. Solveig was a driving force for the arts and crafts, and she got close to the kids through her creatice mind and open heart. Johannes was the one we knew the least when we left Norway, and he showed himself as someone we really could trust. He also was the big heartbreaker of the camp – and if he didn’t break any hearts he still melted some of them with his presence.

During this week we got memories we will carry for the rest of our lives. We discovered that only by seeing the kids, being close to them, laughing with them and showing that we cared for them and respected them we could maybe be able to give them something to hold on to in the rough daily life wich was waiting for them back home. Still it could seem like they gave us just as much as we gave them.

We wish to thank everyone who made this possible. For the romani children at the camp by Lake Balaton it was a invaluable experience. They got the chance just to be children. They got to experience unconditional love. They got new friends and new challanges. Some of them had for example never taken a swim before. They got stabile adults into their lives. Even though we can’t be there for them every day they know that many people care, and that a whole community far away made this possible. Seeing 100 kids wearing t-shirts with ”Prosjekt Takknemlighet – Utekontakten” written on the back was a moving sight.

Thanks to all of you who participated in realizing this project, and a special thank to everyone in Nittedal. Thank you ADRA, and all of the beautifyl children who participated at the camp.

GENERAL INFO: 

About Utekontakten

Utekontakten is a well established service for kids and youngsters between 13 and 23 who need to talk with someone. The service is organized under the child welfare.

Utekontakten want to be a support and a good collaborator who is taking teenagers seriously. Utekontakten has a confidentiality agreement.

We can help youngsters to establish contact, and join meetings, with the other assistance agencies. We can give support and follow up through rough times, and be there for them in times of crises.

Utekontakten has its own base on top of 7/11 in Rotnes.

The youth advisors in Nittedal are Line Søiland, David Ark, Tine Svensbråten, Stine de Wahl and Ola Skarstein Tennes. People who want to see us can call and make an appointment or just drop in.

Usually there is someone at the base between 09:00 AM and 11:00 PM from Monday to Thursday. We also work evenings/nights every third weekend. When we work we try to be where the kids are; at the youth club, the schools or at different arrangements.

About the project 

Prosjekt Takknemlighet, Prosject Gratitude in english, is a youth-guided initiative directed by Utekontakten in Nittedal. The board consists of four 18 year old girls who have their own dedicated tasks in the project work. The board meet on a regularly basis.

The thought is to contribute to expand the way the youngsters see themselves and give them a more external focus. We want them to put their own situation in perspective, and to build a commitment that lasts. The group has great faith in the fact that working with the project will have a major effect on the local youth group in general.

The first goal of the project was to contribute to the arrangement of the “Day Care Camp” in Balatonlelle July 2010. This was done in cooperation with ADRA Hungary who has been working with the kids for a long time.

The money we raised financed this camp. Thanks to everyone who supported us we reached our goal!

We are looking forward to round 2; making a difference and being with the beautiful children. We are ready for ADRA Camp 2011. Are you?