„Moabit helps!“ is a local initiative that helps refugees and asylum seekers in their temporary accommodation in Berlin-Moabit. An old office building serves as a make shift home for about 150 people since September 2013. About a third of the occupants are children.

In order to create better living conditions, volunteers, organizations and local clubs have already come up with various events to raise money and goods – everything that is needed to cover basic needs: Clothes, sanitary products but also toys for the children. A room for the children to play and study has been equipped and helpers offer free German lessons, daycare for children. Even interpreters have volunteered their time for the refugees – without them a visit to the authorities would be next to impossible.

While volunteer work is a big help for all 150 people it does not pay for transportation of donated items, will not allow the kids to visit a zoo, cinema or theater. In order to allow the refugees to break free of their everyday life once in a while the initiative depends on financial help.

If you live in Berlin and want to learn more about ‘Moabit hilft!’’s work, you are invited to come to their biweekly meetings on every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The meetings take place at ‘Coffe break’, Jagowstraße 23, 10555 Berlin at 7pm.