Kerpen – a home for many migrants

In mayor Biehler’s municipal office, we had a presentation by the representative of the United Nations for the life, travelling, conditions and the risks of a young migrant. He told us his story of his childhood when he had to leave and seek help from other countries around the world. He went to many countries but no one wanted to help him. When he arrived in Germany, he was happy because they provided him with basic living conditions and they decided to help him.

His origin is from Iraq. He also described the difficulties he had to face while travelling without food and water. The migrant thanked Germany which was the only country to provide him a place to stay at the migrants camp. He described the room in which he lived in that camp. There he met a lot of friends, which also had their own story to tell. He told us that he had been in Macedonia for a short period of time and he had a good time in here. Now he lives in Koln where he works and has everything that he needs.

His origin is from Iraq. He also described the difficulties he had to face while travelling without food and water. The migrant thanked Germany which was the only country to provide him a place to stay at the migrants camp. He described the room in which he lived in that camp. There he met a lot of friends, which also had their own story to tell. He told us that he had been in Macedonia for a short period of time and he had a good time in here. Now he lives in Koln where he works and has everything that he needs.

Visit to a refugee home

During our week long Erasmus kick-off project twelve students in the eleventh class made first contact with the refugee home in walking distance from our school.
We were able to view a home, talk to Frau Maas- the social worker at the home- and most important, but also unsettling, speak to two refugee women living there. One woman was a journalist who fled Afghanistan because of political persecution. The other woman came from Eritrea and had spent 3 years on the run before settling in Germany. She had met and lost her husband during this time.
We were very thankful and touched that these women shared their very personal stories with us. Their courage was truly inspirational.



Willy-Brandt-Gesamtschule Kerpen/ November 2017

Erasmus action: Flag mosaic

During our project it became clear to the Erasmus team that our school truly is multi-cultural- something we feel proud of. 40% of our students come from migrant backgrounds and over 24 countries are represented at our school.
To celebrate and commemorate this fact the Erasmus team sponsored a flag mosaic that is now hanging on the wall in our main lobby .
On May 23 and 24 Herr Müller, a mosaic artist, together with 24 students from grades 5 to 7 made the flags. It was an enjoyable experience for everyone and a geography lesson for some.
We hope to expand the mosaic with new flags in the future.

Willy-Brandt-Gesamtschule Kerpen/ May 2019

Erasmus action: Football for refugees

While talking to the social workers at the refugee home in Horrem, they made clear to us that what the refugees and asylum seekers – especially the men – desperately needed was an indoor place where they were allowed to play football on a regular basis.
After contacting several people and with the support of Frau Seiche – the representative for refugees and asylum seekers in Kerpen – between 25 and 40 refugee men play football every Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm in our school gym.
Several of our former students have also joined the team making this a truly multi-cultural experience.
It was a real pleasure watching them play. I was amazed at how talented many of the men were and their sense of fair play.

Willy-Brandt-Gesamtschule Kerpen/ October 2018

Christmas for refugee children