Companion tutor of immigrant children

Immigrant children who lack a family support system in Iceland (i.e. grandparents, uncles or aunts) may feel isolated from society and may not get the chance to understand or take part in the Icelandic culture. This project is designed to encourage the social participation of these children as well as their involvement in every day activities with Icelandic families. The project is designed for children of 4 to 16 years of age who live with an immigrant parent/parents.

A companion tutor assists the child to become acquainted with and active in the society that they live in. This occurs through the relationship between the companion tutor and the child who meet regularly to do something instructive together; like talk, read, do homework together, go for a walk, the cinema, the theatre, a museum or participate in other fun or educational activities. 

The companion tutor and the child develop a healthy relationship that enriches both their lives. The child learns about a new culture and develops the confidence to deal more efficiently with new experiences and enjoys everything that Iceland has to offer.

Do you want to participate?
The project is open for everyone from 4 to 16 years of age. If you have a child or know a child who could benefit from having a companion tutor please contact the Reykjavik branch of the Red Cross (telephone: 545 0400, e-mail: reykjavik@redcross.is). 

Homework assistance

The purpose of this project is to help immigrant children with their homework and master Icelandic language skills. Most of the volunteers in this programme are retired teachers and Red Cross Youth volunteers.

Does your child need homework assistance?
Homework assistance is provided once a week at the Reykjavik branch of the Red Cross located in Laugavegur 120 and in Gerðuberg in Breiðholt (see http://www.heilahristingur.is/). The assistance is offered for an hour and a half. For more information please contact the Reykjavik branch of the Red Cross (telephone: 545 0400).

Additionally, the Kópavogur branch of the Red Cross offers homework assistance to high-school students (or students in “framhaldsnám“). Fore more information please contact the Kópavogur branch of the Red Cross (telephone: 554 6626, e-mail: kopavogur@redcross.is).

Homework assistance is also provided at the Héraðs- og Borgarfjörður branch of the Red Cross located in Egilstaðir. For more information please contact the Héraðs - og Borgarfjörður branch (telephones: 863 3616 or 863 3608).

Enter

Participants are young immigrants of 9 to 12 years of age. The project operates in cooperation with the immigrants’ reception department of the school of Hjallaskóla and began in 2004. Children meet once a week after school at the volunteer center of the Kópavogur branch of the Red Cross and receive, for example, support in learning the language and instruction about the different recreational activities in Kópavogur. During the program, children participate in a variety of activities and go fun and educational on field trips. The goal of this project is to facilitate children’s process of adaptation into Icelandic society and to stimulate their participation. The project is a sort of society training that children and volunteers can both benefit from and enjoy.

Do you want to participate?
The Enter group meets every Wednesday from 14:00 to 15:30 and is open to all children of immigrant background between the ages of 9 and 12. Fore more information please contact the Kópavogur branch of the Red Cross (telephone: 554 6626, e-mail: kopavogur@redcross.is).

Eldhugar

Eldhugar are young people from ages 13 to 16. Both Icelandic and immigrant youth work together to construct a better society without inequality or prejudice. The project is also designed to create a base for young people of all different backgrounds to meet and have fun together. During these gatherings, participants work together with concepts like friendship, respect, tolerance by engaging in creative projects like photography, caricature making, theater and dance.

Eldhugar have for example published a paper called Eldhugar, have created a website and have showed their work in Smáralind.

Do you want to participate?
Eldhugar youth meet every Thursday from 17:30 to 19:00 at the volunteer center of the Kópavogur branch of the Red Cross, Hamraborg 11. Fore more information please contact the Kópavogur branch of the Red Cross (telephone: 554 6626, e-mail: kopavogur@redcross.is).

Child and youth programmes

The main goal of the child and youth programmes is to promote the principles of the Red Cross and introduce Red Cross activities. The youth programmes provide young people with the opportunity to learn about the Red Cross Movement and offers them to participate in diverse projects. Moreover, through these programmes the organization has the opportunity to observe the circumstances, attitudes and mind-set of the youth.

Do you want to participate or learn more about the Red Cross youth programmes?
If you are interested please contact one of the following branches:
Reykjavík: telephone: 545 0400, e-mail: urkir@redcross.is
Kópavogur: telephone: 554 6626, e-mail: kopavogur@redcross.is
Hafnarfjörður: telephone: 565 1222, e-mail: hafnarfjordur@redcross.is
Mosfellsbær: telephone: 564 6053, e-mail: kjos@redcross.is
Akranes: telephone: 431 2270, e-mail: akranes@redcross.is
Ísafjörður: telephone: 894 4642

If you live in another region of the country please contact the Head office of the Red Cross (telephone: 570 4000, e-mail: central@redcross.is).