She wants to open children’s eyes to what surrounds them: Stephanie Heyl has been responsible for school projects at the Bavarian State Association for Home Care for ten years. The qualified archivist explains what home means to children. And why Muslim children often know their religion better than Christian ones.
SZ: Ms. Heyl, what is home for children and young people?
Stephanie Heyl: Home is where you feel comfortable. Where they were born, where they are known. In the case of children with a migration background, it is often the countries of their parents, even if they only know them from vacation trips, if at all. But these countries, the food, the celebrations together play a big role in everyday life and in family life. The parents talk about the beautiful things at home, they keep the memories and customs alive so that nothing is lost. That gives security in a strange environment. The children feel that this country of their parents is a good place.
How do you explain the fact that 12-year-olds want to observe Ramadan and fast?
It is always interesting when the projects show how well many Muslim children are familiar with their religion. In contrast to Christian children, who often do not know what is celebrated at Easter or Pentecost, for example. Religion is lived even more in the families, which also has something to do with one’s own identity. This gives security in a new environment. And it’s part of their homeland.
Does the ideal of home stay for a lifetime?
Sometimes that resolves during puberty. I remember a trip to south-east Turkey with a group of young people. They were in their parents’ country for the first time and had previously glorified their homeland. They had imagined a little paradise. And they were very irritated when they saw that the living conditions were not so paradisiacal after all.
What do you want to draw the children’s attention to in your school projects?
We want to sharpen their perception. A workshop in the project is called “My place of residence – my dream place”. The children walk through their village or neighborhood and take photos of it. You describe what it looks like. And the next step is to think about how you would like it to be. The children build places with soccer fields, playgrounds, with a butcher, a baker, a supermarket. The children know that this is important. Nobody has ever built a place with a huge mall on the edge.
How can parents manage to offer children and young people a good home, a good home?
Home comes from interpersonal relationships, from security. When children feel it’s a safe place, when they see beautiful things, that’s home. You can have a beautiful home anywhere.