There are many reasons why people become refugees. One is political instability. Many modern-day refugees come from Syria, where it is unsafe because of a civil war that has lasted for about eight years. Some refugees have to leave their countries because life there has become unsafe for other reasons. For example, some LGBTQ+ people live in countries where they could be attacked for their identity and therefore are granted asylum in another country. Some refugees were journalists or political activists in their home countries but were threatened or attacked because of their work.
There are lots of ways refugees are being helped in Trier. For example, there is a program called “uni assist” that pays for refugees to attend university, so they can receive a free education. Although many refugees have already attended university back in their home countries, some jobs require a degree from a German university. For refugees who don’t speak German fluently, there are programs where Germans volunteer to accompany refugees to appointments with doctors or government officials and translate what’s going on. There are lots of programs where lawyers, teachers or even babysitters can volunteer their services to refugees. Some people rent out a room in their apartment for a refugee to live in. Families volunteer as hosts for kids who have arrived in Germany without their parents. I even went to an art show displaying the work of refugee children living in Trier! Overall, there are many ways that Germans are working to meet the needs of these new members in their community.
