Foreningen Grønlandske børn runs drop-in centre and youth club in Ittoqqortoormiit.
By Jessy Mikkelsen, FGB.
For several years Foreningen Grønlandske børn (FGB - The Society of Greenlandic Children) has been involved in establishing projects for the children of Ittoqqortoormiit. In 2001 the Society, with the municipality of Ittoqqortoormiit and the Home Rule of Greenland established the drop-in centre “Kutsadda” for children aged 4-14. The children drop in here in the afternoons and evenings all week and have a good time with each other, and the employees of the centre. Among the activities are sewing, baking, playing games and computers. Once a week, there is also a “food-day”, and there is a possibility for sleeping-over. During the year a number of greater events are arranged, such as Christmas activities and summer camp.
For a long time it has been clear that opportunities for the teenagers were also needed. It was therefore with great joy that a youth club was opened on 16 December 2004. The teenagers themselves have named the club “Umimmak Club” ( the Musk Ox Club). The club is a result of cooperation between the local municipality and FGB, and it is set up to offer activities to teenagers between 15 and 20 years. The teenagers suggested a lot of activities themselves, and the idea is to make them responsible for the activities being started. Therefore, a project group is being established for each individual activity, so the teenagers together with the employees distribute assignments and fields of responsibility.
For the same reason, some teenagers are also naturally present in the steering committee of the youth club. In this way the teenagers get opportunities to experience how helping each other can change their own everyday lives.
