By Sophia Lashmar, Year 12
You may have heard about one of LGB’s newest clubs, Bridge Builders, but do you really know what it is? Melanie, the co-founder of this project, speaks about how everyone has something to learn from each other, and how Bridge Builders embodies this core idea.
So, can you tell me about your CAS project, and what it is…
So, my CAS project is something I have been working on with Vittorio and the idea is to build ‘bridges’ between Ecolint students and refugees and migrants who have just arrived in Geneva. The group we’re working with at the moment only arrived in Geneva at the beginning of December, and they’re unaccompanied, so this is a group of minors between the ages of 15 and 18, and they’ve made the journey here alone. What we’re trying to do, in collaboration with the Hospice Générale de Genève, is to help them meet other people in Geneva, and get more used to being here.
How often does the group get together?
It’s bi-monthly, so sessions take place on two Saturdays a month, between Ecolint students and these refugees and migrants. We meet in the Old Town, at the Bourg-du-Four, and in sessions of an hour and a half with food and drink. There’s usually one main theme, which could be something such as culture, food, music or goals and aspirations. We then usually have discussions centred around that theme, so that everyone can contribute and participate equally by sharing their experiences.
Why do you think Bridge Builders is important?
We, as Ecolint students, are helping because we create this community that these young people can be a part of, which helps them to feel a sense of belonging as they get to meet other young people in Geneva. At the same time, they’re also helping us by sharing their experiences and cultures. Really, this is just so that we can spend some time sharing a little bit about ourselves, which shows how much we have to offer one another.
It’s also important because it gives these young people a sense of control over the situation. It’s already so difficult for them and they’ve been so brave to come here alone. Currently they’re staying at a shelter, and we just want to offer them an opportunity to get more settled here.
What can participants expect by coming along to a session?
Just by coming to a session and assisting, listening and contributing is making such a huge impact, but if you want to create a project within these sessions, it’s a great opportunity to share an interest and make an even greater impact. This is why I’ve also come up with the idea of the Community Board, which is where people can organise and suggest project ideas for the future. Anything that would help the group integrate into Geneva, such as intercommunity sports matches, concerts, cooking classes or showing them around Geneva would be wonderful projects.
It’s also a lot of fun! We’ll be playing games, sports and doing various activities. It would be great to see students join the club, as it’s a truly meaningful experience. It’s an opportunity to give back, and be hands-on by giving your time and attention by listening and talking with this group.
Although, rewarding it does sound like a lot of work! Was this difficult to manage alongside your schoolwork?
I actually wrote exactly 127 emails to get this off the ground! It was extremely time-consuming to organise this, as I started out with just one contact! Finally, I managed to get in touch with the Hospice Générale. It’s such a rewarding feeling to know what we’ve started, and I know it’s going to be worth it. At the end of the day, it’s not just down to me, but also about people coming to the sessions open-minded and with a positive attitude!
We’re also making a documentary about the project, to show what diversity and inclusion can look like, and how much dialogue and sharing of ideas can accomplish. It’s also to show what teenagers can do to help each other and their communities, because this really is a city-changing project, which we hope will inspire more initiatives.
Bridge Builders looks forward to hearing from anyone in High School interested in joining! You can contact them via their instagram account @bridgebuilders_lgb for more information.
