Germany: Creative educational opportunities for refugee girls
Refugee girls in Germany face enormous challenges: language barriers, bureaucracy, and discrimination characterize the start of their lives in the new country for many. Due to housing shortages and bureaucratic requirements, they often have to live in cramped accommodations for years. Fundamental children's rights, such as the right to privacy and adequate education, are hardly enforceable there. Often, even a suitable place to play is lacking.
"No child is born racist."
About strong girls and the project »United Actions«: Statement by the project founder Fatuma Musa Afrah on the International Day Against Racism on March 21, 2026.
Added to this is the burden of the traumatic experience of fleeing: Many girls from countries like Somalia, Iran, Syria, and Chechnya had little freedom to learn and develop appropriately for their age, both in their home countries and during their escape. Most have educational deficits, and some are traumatized. Now, having arrived in a new, unfamiliar country, they receive too little support to overcome their experiences of flight, catch up on their learning, and reach their full potential. Even contact with peers is hampered by their living conditions. Many simply don't have the opportunity to play freely and spend their free time in the way that is normal for other children.
Activist Fatuma Musa Afrah knows these hurdles well: With her organization "United Actions – Women & Girls eV," she empowers refugee girls and women to overcome them: "The goal of our work is to create a better, fairer world for everyone together with the newly arrived girls in rural Brandenburg."
Step by step, more freedom, fun, and self-confidence.
United Actions first works to build trust, convincing parents to allow their daughters to participate in the project. Under the motto "Chai, Creativity, and Movement," the girls are then offered a safe space once a month, usually directly in the common room of the accommodation. Here they can be creative: making bracelets, painting, creating collages, but also dancing and letting off steam with active games.
Another afternoon each month is dedicated to excursions where the children explore the surrounding area. They are involved in planning and organizing these activities and learn to participate in group discussions and decision-making.
This provides the girls with a welcome break from their often dreary daily routine – and places where they feel comfortable, can make friends, strengthen their self-esteem, and express themselves.
"We provide empowerment and education. The girls have fun, feel safer. And they learn that women's and children's rights must be defended."
