Workcamp: That never Happens, what Happened at that Time (Buchholz near Hamburg)

Description: In 1945 the recreation centre „Heideruh“ was built by antifascists to support the survivors of the Nazi regime. Relatives, survivors, and friends built a place of refuge amidst woodland where they could regain strength to continue their fight for a better world. Until today, Heideruh is a recreation area for anti-fascists. Very often like-minded people from different generations meet up there. Since 2013 nine asylum seekers from North Sudan and Arabic countries are accommodated and supported in Heideruh. Now the focus ist to prepare for a time without contemporary witnesses. The camp includes a big study part. In approx. 50 % of the time will deal with the topics antifascism and rememberance.

Type of Work: (5 days): Maintenance, repair, and extension of the „barefoot walking path“ and the „all generations“ playground, the focal points are on working with wood, you learn different techniques and also how to use several machines. Everybody is welcome to try it out!

Study Theme: (7 Tage): Documentation of the work and camp, preparation of a public commemoration ceremony, meeting witnesses/ survivors and guests, visiting the memorial of the former concentration camp Hamburg-Neuengamme. The study part will partly be drawn up by the Auschwitz committee. Main focus will be fascism and rememberance.

Accommodation: Accommodation in double bedrooms, on some days, when there will be many guests at Heideruh, it might be possible that some volunteers will have to move to tents, which will be provided by the project, as well as sleeping bags and insulating mattresses. Who wants to sleep alone can also sleep in a tent. There is a seminar room. Heideruh has a cantine, you will partly eat in the cantine. Vegetarian and vegan is possible in the cantine and some help in the kitchen might be required. Breakfast you will prepare together.

Language: Good knowledge of English and/ or German would be helpful.

Requirements: Being interested in anti-fascism and remembrancet-topics, showing consideration for elderly, being interested in manageable building projects and thoughts.