Nuki the teddy bear: a friend for refugee children in Mainz!

Nuki the teddy bear: a friend for refugee children in Mainz!

In Mainz, the Maltese launched a remarkable project that gives refugee children a voice. The teddy bear Nuki is the focus of this initiative, which aims to offer the young migrants an emotional connection. In special Nuki corners in refugee accommodation, the children can write letters to Nuki, which are then thrown into a specially designed mailbox. This is emptied exclusively by Nuki, which gives the children the feeling that their messages get directly to their new friend.

Natalya Kessler-Simonian, social worker at the Maltese, explains that the letters build an important relationship between Nuki and the children. In their letters, the children often address their escape and lack of relatives such as parents and grandparents. Nuki responds to the letters and offers consolation by sharing his own experiences. A child reports that Nuki read the Bremen city musicians, while another dreams of traveling to Paris.

a project with heart and hand

The interaction between Nuki and the children is looked after by an employee of the Maltese who wrote the answers and can get to know the needs of the children better. The goal of this initiative is not only to give children joy, but also to offer support in difficult cases. So far, however, such assistance has not been necessary, since the children are actively integrated into communication and the workshops of the Maltese deals with multi -layered topics such as dealing with strangers and bullying.

On the background of the increasing number of refugees who have now reached around 120 million, according to UNHCR, the work of Maltese is all the more important. They have been involved in this important mission for 20 years and the focus is on working with children. The “Nuki der Bär” project is also an innovative measure of art therapy, which was launched by the art therapist Asena Munar. Nuki serves as a supporting element in therapy and can be used in various formats, be it as a plush toy, sticker or painted figure.

World Refugee Day and social commitment

The World Refugee Day, which is celebrated annually on June 20, recalls that the support of refugees is becoming increasingly important. The Maltese actively participate in this discussion and have particularly emphasized the Nuki project as part of their work on art therapy. Topics such as bullying and dealing with strangers are dealt with in workshops that are under the motto "There was invicta & nuki". Here, a red metal letter box with Nuki's face is installed in the respective accommodations in which the children can throw in their worries, wishes or ideas.

This means that the concept of Nuki is not only used as a means of emotional support, but also proves to be part of a greater social engagement that promotes integration and well -being of refugees. The primary goal of not only offering the affected families and individuals to offer a safe port, but also to open up perspectives in the new living environment. The Maltese are committed to ensuring that the refugees can find their way around the new culture and build up an independent life by providing different services and advisory services.

For further information and support, interested people can be interested in the e-mail address invicta@malteser.org to contact the Malteser or help via their donation account: