Meetings and Reflections

The Experiences at DRH Lindersvold: A Journey of Discovery and Sharing

During our time at DRH Lindersvold, we had the opportunity to experience events that allowed us to connect with important social issues, develop new skills, and broaden our worldview. Each experience provided us with a unique perspective, contributing to our personal and collective growth process.

Interviews on Poverty in Copenhagen

One of the most intense experiences was the series of interviews we conducted with Copenhagen residents to understand their opinions on poverty in the streets and neighborhoods of the city. Through their responses, we explored perceptions, causes, and possible solutions to this complex issue. This exchange allowed us to reflect more deeply on urban poverty and the need for concrete interventions at both the social and institutional levels to ensure a more equitable future for all.

Visit to Boserup School

The visit to Boserup School allowed us to explore the role of education as a tool for social change, engaging with teachers and directors about their teaching methods and educational vision. The school stands out for its focus on inclusivity and creating a positive and stimulating learning environment. Boserup provides support to children with autism, ADHD, and other special needs, creating a tailored educational context that promotes their development and well-being.

Visit to UFF

We visited the pre-selection center in Denmark, located near Køge, where textile waste collected from various municipalities is manually sorted for reuse, recycling, or incineration. During the visit, we had the opportunity to actively participate in the process, helping to categorize the materials based on their intended destination.

Dumpster diving

One evening, some of us decided to participate in "dumpster diving"; it was a unique and fun experience that allowed us to save perfectly edible food destined for the trash, thus fighting food waste. In many Danish cities, supermarkets throw away products that are still good, just because they are close to their expiration date or have slightly damaged packaging. Together with others, we explored the dumpsters of several supermarkets, finding fruits, vegetables, bread, and other items still in great condition. Beyond being a concrete action against waste, it was a moment of reflection on our consumption system and the incredible amount of food thrown away every day.

Meeting with a Chilean Political Prisoner

During our stay here at Lindersvold, we experienced something truly unique. A Chilean political prisoner, who spent two years in a concentration camp and endured torture during Pinochet’s regime, shared his incredible story with us. After being exiled in Denmark, he spoke to us about his journey of resilience, but most notably, of forgiveness. One aspect that deeply moved us was when, years later, he coincidentally ran into the man who had denounced and tortured him. Yet, instead of harboring resentment, all he wanted to tell him was that he forgave him. It was an extraordinary moment that made us reflect on the power of forgiveness and inner peace.

Meeting with a Syrian refugee

During our journey here in Lindersvold we had the participation of a Syrian refugee, who arrived in Denmark in 2014, who told us not only his personal story but also the situation in Syria. In Syria he was a lawyer, while in Denmark he had to start over as a taxi driver. He said he has no problem with the inability to continue his career, as he no longer thinks about his future, but rather that of his children. However, he also shared an important reflection: "Being a refugee means starting from scratch, it means starting from underground." It was a message that struck a deep chord with us, making us reflect on the difficulties and challenges of those who are forced to rebuild their lives from the ground up.

Bingo night with the kids from Botilbuddet

In addition to our DRH Lindersvold school, there are other schools here. One of them is Butilbuddet, a school aimed at youth and young adults who need support in daily life. One evening we involved some of these people in our activity by playing bingo with prizes and refreshments at the end. With some of these young people we also had auto occasion to talk during other evenings, where they told us about their lives, what they have been through or what they would like to do in the future.

We will be leaving in four days, but I will always carry with me all the moments I experienced and the stories I was fortunate enough to hear. These are experiences that have left a deep mark and that I will cherish fondly in my memory.

Martina