Integration in Kyritz: refugees feel at home!

Integration in Kyritz: refugees feel at home!

in Kyritz, a small town in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district, the transition home on Rehfelder Weg has developed into an important anchor for refugees. A year ago, in June 2024, the accommodation was opened and has been offering space for up to 180 people since then. At the moment, the home is almost fully occupied - a sign of the high demand for accommodation for those seeking protection in the region. The first 30 inhabitants were Ukrainian women with their children, who moved in a few days after the opening and have now integrated well into the community. There are also refugees from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, South Africa, Kenya and Cameroon. You are all looking for a safe harbor and a new perspective in life.

The integration of the refugees, however, is a major challenge. Mayor Nora Görke emphasizes the importance of this task, while social heads Andreas Liedtke is optimistic that everything will run smoothly. "It is crucial to respect people's social ties," explains Dorina Hortig, head of office, who ensures that only people without fixed bonds move to daycare centers or schools. For many refugees, arrival in a foreign country is not easy. They have to get used to new processes and language barriers, which is an enormous challenge, especially for unaccompanied minor refugees. Special support is necessary here, as the UN Refugee Aid emphasizes.

Integration and offers on site

In order to promote integration, the residents are actively involved in various projects. Since May 2025, many of them have participated in courses in the vocational training center and the children attend local schools, including the Goethe primary school and the Carl-Diercke School. Here the exchange between teachers and migration social workers is also intensively maintained. Events in the multi-generation house (MGH) and advice from the Esta-Ruppin association also support the refugees. These offers are essential to make it easier to get used to it and to strengthen the structure of society.

A particularly gratifying sign is the neighborhood aid: numerous residents donate toys and fruit to give the refugee families a joy. This shows how important a friendly cooperation is and that integration depends not only on politics, but also on everyone. The willingness of the population to include refugees in the community contributes significantly to the positive course of integration.

challenges and future prospects

But not everything runs smoothly. The shortage of skilled workers in the field of migration makes it difficult to support the refugees. The positions in the home are fully occupied, but the recruitment of suitable staff remains a challenge. A sensitive handling of the emotional and social complexity of the cases is required to meet newcomers.

Overall, it can be seen that the transition home in Kyritz is a place of hope that opens up opportunities not only the refugee but also the community. Wie die MAZ Online berichtet, stecken in den verfügbaren Erfahrungen und dem Engagement aller Great possibilities involved that not only promote integration work, but can also contribute to improving the social climate in the city.

The container village may represent a new chapter for Kyritz, but the challenges remain great. It is up to all of us to actively shape this development and create an environment in which integration succeeds and every person has a chance of a new life.