Youth services receive millions

The Siammartoq learning program, which supports young Greenlanders in Denmark in vulnerable life situations, has just received a donation of two million kroner.

A special learning program, targeted at Greenlandic young people aged 18 to 25 living in Denmark, has received a donation of two million kroner from the A.P. Møllerske Støttefond.

The learning process, called Siammartoq, is an offer from the Greenlandic Children’s Association. It is aimed at young people living in Denmark and finding themselves in a difficult life situation.

– We are really happy about the donation. The fact that we have received a large grant from A.P. Møllerske Støttefond makes the project possible, says Puk Draiby, general secretary of the Greenlandic Children’s Association.

Since its launch in 2017, Siammartoq has completed six courses. Among other things, the initiative supports young people in making important decisions and helps them on their way to education and jobs with the goal of a good future.

– It’s a pat on the back for the Greenlandic Children’s Association and a recognition that we are carrying out an important task in Denmark by helping young people in vulnerable life situations get on their way and into adulthood. That’s what the project is about, she says.

The two million kroner from the fund will be used to continue and develop Siammartoq.

Turning vulnerability into strength

When young people participate in a Siammartoq learning process, the goal is to strengthen their skills, help them understand their own and others’ limits – and to turn vulnerability into strength.

The young people are also offered a mentoring program, where they are assigned an adult with whom they can talk – also about difficult things, or if they need support in navigating Danish society.

– We are conducting two two-year courses, where we invite 25-30 young people in twice. Here they work on their dreams, wishes and what they want in their future, says Puk Draiby, and continues:

– In addition, they work on self-development, their courage and to strengthen their power of action so that they dare to take on the desires they have for their adult life.

Siammartoq offers eight educational weekends spread over two years. Here, young people have the opportunity to create strong relationships and work on the personal challenges they each face in their everyday lives.

– The young people have experienced various challenging things in their lives, and it can be experienced as a weakness, but it is also a strength to have come through it. In this way, you turn it into a strength that you have experienced something difficult, says Puk Draiby.

Siammartoq is a free service that the Greenlandic Children’s Association makes available to municipalities.