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ePaper created 2015-12-01, 11:30:18 | version 1.43.00
akzente 1/15 young people, or advice centres for immigrants. ‘The programme broadens their horizons and gives them insights to facilitate change in their own workplace,’ says Barbara Vogt-Seeliger, GIZ’s programme coordinator. ‘After all, a 40- or 50-year-old still has many years of working life ahead.’ For an experienced professional, slipping back into the role of student is no easy task. ‘It’s taking every ounce of energy!’ says Ingrid. But with her positive and unflappable man- ner, people soon warm to her, and that helps her wherever she goes – whether she’s on a home visit to foster parents or settling into a new host family every three weeks. Every morning, she takes the number 14 bus as far as Walmart and then crosses the car park to Bethany’s headquarters, housed in a long, low brick building. Ingrid works in the Foster Care Department in the basement, where around 30 staff are crammed together in a tiny space, often with little more than a screen between them. Ingrid’s desk is fes- tooned with handwritten notes: ‘Truancy = Schulverweigerung’, ‘CSP = Case Service Plan’. ‘Even after two months, I still can’t re- member everything,’ she sighs. Then she walks over to the windowless office of team leader Jamie Prewozniak. The team meeting begins. Her colleagues fold their hands and pray. Top: On the way to the weekly seminar at the University. Right: Team meeting with colleagues at Bethany. Top: Ingrid’s tiny desk: her notes help her to re member the many acronyms. Right: Activist Don Cooney talks about social justice.