Resilience: Learning from Refugees

Ansuman & Tedros. 1. Lehrjahr Ausbildung als Schreiner

These days I have been thinking a lot about Resilience. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines this word as “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties”. I translate that for me as, the ability to get back up after falling down. Like anything else in life, the more we practice to get good at something, the better we are able to perform this task. But who wants to practice falling or failing? Not me. 

We also know that we can learn important life lessons and knowledge from people that have researched a specific topic or have gone through a similar situation, so that we don’t make the same mistakes or just know the right way to the answer or solution. 

How many of us prefer to learn from a book, a class, a friend rather than trying something new? Because we know we will likely fail without any previous knowledge, theory, method or maybe some tipps. Hm yes me! 

When I look at our men here at [p3] I am always reminded of the power of Resilience and I am encouraged to keep going. Especially during these uncertain times we all experience at a global level. I see our men and I am reminded of their stories. Yes, there are many times when their back or feet hurts and they can’t come or do a specific task here at [p3]. This pain reminds them of their past, how many miles, kilometers they have walked, fleeing, in search of hope, in a fight for survival. And somehow, and thanks God, they made it to the same city— out of all cities — that I live on. And I get to join their team and cheer them on in their today and paint together a picture of what the future can look like, and help show the steps necessary to get there. 

Rifkan aus Sri Lanka.

This gives hope, encouragement and it is a huge honor for me. But what I, unfortunately, way too little do, is tell them how much they enrich my life, daily. Our team color is yellow here at [p3]— bright, fun, funny, dynamic, creative, unique, good-looking, culturally competent—because of them! The challenges they bring us make us stay creative and dynamic. They are always so funny—regardless of what they are doing or the current topic of discussion is. (How do they do that?) 

Ebrima präsentiert, was er in der Umweltschulung bei [p3] über die Hydroponik-Anlage gelernt hat.

Especially in this important topic of Resilience, I have learned so much from them. Their humility, huge motivation and energy to learn is so great, is contagious. Their stories of how they ended up in the same city as I am— worth telling, worth learning, worth knowing. 

Oumar. Lernen in der Werkstatt

It has always been our hope that when you also see our wood-based products around your home or work, that you just aren’t completely in love with the quality and the beauty that comes from them and how it can completely transform a room—but also that you are reminded of the story behind the product. #p3botschafter. It has always been our hope that you remember to keep going, when life gets hard. That you are reminded we aren’t just cheering for our men, but also for a better world for all of us. We are also cheering YOU on! That you are reminded that noble causes are worth fighting for. That a better world for all of us tomorrow, depends on us all and that is worth going for it—all in. And that is why we stick together #miteinander. 

Hanna. 2. Lehrjahr Ausbildung als Schreiner

So I just want to take this space in the Internet to say thank you to each one of our men that allow [p3] to share their photos and stories and everything they are learning here at [p3] in order that all of us are inspired to keep going— to be resilient.