Migration is a human right: How the Chilean Methodist Church deals with it
Thousands of refugees live in Switzerland. Their presence repeatedly leads to discussions in society and politics. Connexio develop and the Methodist Church are also thinking about their responsibility. Perhaps a look at Chile will help.
Meter-long border fences with up to 5,000 people on the run: We don't see pictures like that in Switzerland. But the asylum centers are full and so are the people who come here. They live among us and with us. At the end of June 2024, a total of around 85,200 recognized refugees were living in Switzerland (source Statista)
Long wait
Migrants often wait years in a new country for an asylum decision. In the meantime, they make friends, find work and build a life for themselves. But their status is uncertain and the legal basis is confusing. What is the best way to support these people? The Methodist Church in Chile this question arises.
Seeing the individual
In mid-August, Chilean Bishop Jorge Merino and Felipe Rojas were guests in Switzerland. Felipe is responsible for the project "Future for migrants"which Connexio de3velop supports. The two reported in several meetings, including with the Church and Society Committee about the work of the church in Chile. Always in view: Similarities and differences between the two countries. What both churches have in common is their view of migrants. There is no such thing as one special person. Migrants are different. A poor person has different experiences to a wealthy person, women with children have different problems to men traveling alone. Behind every person is a personal story and requires an individual approach.
Silent mail
New in the country, a journey lasting weeks or months, uncertain status: these are the circumstances in which people who come to Felipe and his team find themselves. At the church's contact points, they clarify what the next steps are and where people need support. Six people work in the migration project in Santiago, the capital of Chile, and one contact person is in Iquique, in the north of Chile. This is where most people enter the country, from Venezuela via Bolivia.
The people usually already know about what the church has to offer because they have already heard about it from others. "The travelers pass the information on to each other," says Felipe Rojas. "We don't have to look for people, they come to us," adds Bishop Jorge Merino.
Close support and first aid
The migration project team closely accompanies people through the migration process: it explains procedures, refers people to the right places and provides pastoral care. It helps with integration by offering further training so that participants can later work as hairdressers or bakers. First aid courses are also part of the program: "It's important that people know what to do in an emergency," says Felipe.
Special attention
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are an extremely vulnerable group, which is why particular attention is paid to good care. The team provides access to healthcare, connects them with other people and helps them to become more autonomous.
Every year, the team organizes a "Children's Day" for the children. Here the children can just be children. There are games, they can have their faces painted and eat lots of sweets. Just a normal children's day. Sports courses are also offered.
The right to migrate
There are many reasons for migration to Chile: political unrest, economic crises, no prospects for the future. They don't come voluntarily, but because they have to. "No one is illegal" - we also know this slogan in Switzerland. Freedom of movement and the right to apply for asylum are human rights. That is why Felipe does not speak of illegal residence, but of irregular residence. As long as a person has no residence papers, they simply have an irregular status.
Bishop Jorge Merino also emphasizes this: "We see people first and foremost as people. We welcome them, listen to their stories and help them to integrate. That helps them and us as a society too."
Danka Bogdanovic, Connexio develop, All photos by Felipe Rojas and team, zVg
If you would like to support this, please donate with the note "Future for migrants"
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