Togetherness instead of coexistence

54-year-old Nadja Donkor-Kaufmann, a Club School teacher in Zurich

Club School teacher Nadja Donkor-Kaufmann puts her ethnology degree to good use every day. Her role also involves acting as a bridge-builder between cultures as well as conveying her knowledge. She has been teaching German as a foreign language for two decades now. She also teaches literacy courses for people from migrant backgrounds at the Migros Club School in Zurich. “The pupils in my class are between 18 and 60 years old. They come from many different places, for example Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea,” reveals the 54-year-old. Some have never attended school and can’t even read or write. “So how are they supposed to integrate?” she asks before answering her own question: “It’s our job as a society, or in this case me as an individual, to build bridges and provide people with level-appropriate support.” There’s a shortage of skilled integration support specialists. Many migrants are waiting for language courses that can’t be provided. The Migros Club School is looking for more language course teachers too.

Grammar is just as much part of the curriculum as Swiss culture. To make lessons more fun, Nadja Donkor-Kaufmann sometimes takes her pupils along to the railway station. “I show them how to buy tickets from a ticket machine and how to read the timetable. And we visit Migros so they can learn to understand the information on the labels.” This all requires lots of patience. “Some pupils are traumatised by their experiences.” That’s why she doesn’t insist if people don’t wish to engage, explains the experienced German teacher. “I give them all the time they need and try to show an interest in their culture. They often open up at some point and begin making progress. They then show their gratitude and I feel like I’ve made a useful contribution.”

58-year-old Eric Menétrey, a retired police officer in Vétroz, canton of Valais

“I’ve been working as a volunteer driver for the Transport Handicap association since October 2020. I provide transport for people in Valais three mornings a week, and sometimes travel as far as Lausanne or Geneva. My passengers are wheelchair users, who have to attend rehabilitation clinic, and senior citizens who can no longer get around. I drive some of them regularly and we have a good old chat. I find these moments to be very enriching – contact with these people gives me strength and inspires me to carry on volunteering. My reward is a smile and a thank-you – and that’s enough for me. These people need us and I’m glad I can make their lives that bit easier.”

49-year-old Virginie Hassler, a tenor in the Aequivox choir in Courtepin, canton of Fribourg

“When I started singing with the Aequivox choir three years ago, I didn’t know a single soul, but I soon felt right at home. Their repertoire covers all types of music – from traditional songs to current hits. I find that great. The 50 or so members gave me a really warm welcome right from the get-go. The choir members are young, warm-hearted, vibrant and have a great sense of humour – they also meet up regularly outside of rehearsals. The fact I’m by far the oldest member of the group doesn’t make a bit of difference. Music brings the world together and makes it a warmer place. We speak the same language, even though we all come from different professional and educational backgrounds. Everyone in the choir is equal and there’s a really strong team spirit. I’d strongly recommend joining a choir to anyone who enjoys singing. By the way, we’re always looking for new members, especially male voices.”