Refugees who dreamed of Paris and Berlin, will be received in Penela – publico

                 

                         
                     

                         

                 

 
                         

When asked which preferably would like to be welcomed, they pointed London, Paris and Berlin. But on September 11, after a plane ride will have to go about 200 kilometers from the Lisbon airport, and to cut to the inside, in the Central zone, to get those who will be their homes in the next ten months. A challenge for the 21 refugees, who will be welcomed in the town of Penela, but also for the approximately 5500 inhabitants of that municipality.

                     

                          The news reached the people through political parties. “The municipality of Penela will receive a refugee group consists of four large families (…). This information was confirmed to me by the president of chamber, when questioned on the subject, “said April a councilman of the PS, through Facebook. It added further that the pilot project would be coordinated by the Assistance Foundation, Development and Vocational Training (ADFP) of Miranda do Corvo, a neighboring municipality; did note that it would be done “in partnership with several entities” and added that the Penela municipality would be “the one to receive refugees.”

Apart from that, the socialist councilor has since other information that just this week been officially announced as the intention to host families “into four apartments of T3″, leased by ADFP the Penela local authority, and to put children and families of babies in schools and nurseries the county. Also referred to the fact that Penela entities have already shown “interest in hiring these refugees.”

Although in the publication the PS only criticize only “secrecy” with which the executive was driving the process, realize If, by the comments that the controversy grew around other issues. “And the penelenses who are to employ? ? And those who live in precarious conditions, “can be read in a commentary on the subject; and immediately afterwards: “Since we come and to integrate and work, think well.” “Positive, because we must try to help others. Negative because around here we need help, “looking for balance in another review, a third person.

On Sunday, the mayor, Social Democrat Luis Matias, said that this discussion is outdated and that the local authority participation in the project was approved ADFP “no votes against.” “At the time did not want to talk about it: it was too early and did not want to make noise,” he said, stressing that, however, have been promoted numerous awareness campaigns. Among other actions, he has commanded distribute brochures explaining, for example, that assistance to refugees is mainly financed by the European Union. The priest also said it fell speak at Sunday mass on religious tolerance and love of neighbor – “especially those who suffer most,” explained Luis Matias, referring to the four families, three Syrian and a Sudanese, where children are in the majority.

Immigrant want to put refugees on the streets
They quickly realize earning awareness. Jaime Ramos, President of ADFP, which intends to accept more refugees in the near future, was keen to create conditions for the integration to be a success and an example. And ahead of the team, put a sociologist, with academic and professional experience in the field of migration and a life story with commonalities to the refugees. Nataliya Bekh, a Ukrainian who twelve years ago arrived in the country without knowing a word of Portuguese, wants to put “quickly refugees on the streets, to live with the penelenses.”

As soon arrive, they begin to learn the language and simultaneously to apply it in touring the village, the trips to the pharmacy, and visits to health centers and the supermarket says. At the same time, the team will promote awareness-raising among people who do care in those services as well as in schools and day care centers that will get kids. “It is very important that on both sides there is openness to know and respect the culture of others,” stresses Nataliya Bekh.

The project coordinator admits that the process is relatively slow. For example, at first, the Portuguese lessons are given to men and women in separate groups. She says expect, however, that “within a few months”, can join them in the same room. For this, help, believe, like other members of the team, as the interpreter, Tunisian and Muslim, who also lives in Portugal.