Finding a way out doesn’t just sound difficult; reality suggests it’s actually much more so. That’s why here at Hope for the Future, we’re dedicated to employing a range of different approaches enabling us to show our clients their ways out of exploitative (and violent) circumstances.
A core aspect of our work in doing this is to teach the German language as a medium of communication and establish a regular working rhythm.
How do we achieve that? On the one hand, by using experienced language teachers and social workers to offer our clients individual support, and on the other, by teaching new skills. That’s exactly what our interested supporters – and those who would like to become that – were able to experience at the Open Door Day on 22 November 2024, as they were able to get a first-hand impression of our work, and that of our clients.
cphoto | Christina Pichler
Our sewing workshop opened its doors in an effort to give visitors a chance to observe and get hold of the different sewn products in an upbeat, positive atmosphere. Our expert seamstresses not only demonstrated the wide-ranging functions of the sewn products, but also led tours of our premises, where participants also had the chance to admire the diversity of the special, carefully-selected materials. The creation of our products always focuses on the pleasure imparted while creating these, the high-quality care taken in the workmanship, which can be both felt and seen.
In the past three years in particular, we have increased development in the area of professional integration into the job market. From the beginning onwards, a social worker will support our clients, even at the training stage, with development meetings, coaching sessions, and application training. In parallel with this, we’ve developed a network of employers prepared to offer our target audience real professional opportunities in the shape of internships or (part-time) jobs.
These opportunities show the way out; in most cases, it’s difficult to understand that “working conditions” are not synonymous with “exploitation conditions”. Many of our clients have never experienced being paid appropriately – or at all – for their work, or entering into a structured working relationship free of fear. But our products prove how much can be achieved with support, even within a small framework. The newly-learned skills provide courage and strength – features our clients also require, since breaking out of their conditions often demands huge amounts of effort and resilience.
There was a good vibe ringing out at the Open Door Day, something akin to “Yes, there are people interested in us and our products”, and those people are happy to be going home with a new bag.
For us as a team, it was lovely to see just how such encounters can spread happiness. It helps to talk to people who have themselves been confronted by violent and exploitative conditions, and to show them what goes on in the shadows, day in, day out, in our society.
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