They were a little nervous. But the children performed their song „Wir wollen zusammenleben” (“We Want to Live Together“) flawlessly. The occasion was the 15th anniversary of their community center,  the Multikulturelles Jugend-Integrationszentrum (MJI) in Charlottenburg.

Founder Ibrahim Ali Khan welcomed parents, children, volunteers, donors, and supporters to the anniversary celebration. The district mayor of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Kirstin Bauch, also came to congratulate the center. „The MJI is a place that warms my heart,“ she said. „I have three children myself and know how difficult it is when things are not going well at school.“

Volunteers support German language skills

Since 2011, children and teenagers have been coming to the MJI after school, not only from Charlottenburg. Many come from households where little German is spoken. At the center, volunteers and university students help with homework, patiently and clearly explaining school material. Only German is spoken at the MJI. „We place great importance on that,“ says Ibrahim Ali Khan, who himself comes from an Arab family. „People of all nationalities, religions, and skin colors are welcome here.“

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Fourteen-year-old Emilia says: „Since I started coming here, my grades have improved a lot.“ So much so that she now tutors younger students herself through the program „Students Helping Students.“ Eleven-year-old Nur also comes almost every afternoon. „I understand German and math much better here,“ she says.

In addition to daily tutoring, the MJI prepares students for the intermediate school qualifications and offers language courses and career counseling. In the video project „My Path in School and Career,“ students produce educational videos every week and practice using digital media. „Everyone really enjoys it,“ says Ali Khan. The program also includes weekly boxing training, an anti-violence course, and creative handicrafts such as knitting, crocheting, and sewing.

People of all nationalities, religions, and skin colors are welcome here.

 Ibrahim Ali Khan, Founder of the Multicultural Youth Integration Center

Over the past 15 years, more than 500 children and young people have taken part in the MJI’s programs. „At first it was just an idea — I wanted to create a place of integration. That only works through education and language,“ says Ali Khan. „I can hardly believe we’ve been around for 15 years.“

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He thanked the donors and supporters, including Berliner helfen e. V., the charity association of the Berliner Morgenpost newspaper, which has supported the center for many years.

District mayor Kirstin Bauch and youth councilor Simon Hertel also pledged continued support from the district for the Multicultural Youth Integration Center. „Politicians come and go, but a place like the MJI remains,“ said Hertel.

MJI e.V., Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 34, 10627 Berlin, tel. 030 857 407 35, www.mji-berlin.de

This article was originally written and published on the 16th of May in German. It was translated in English with the use of Artificial Intelligence.