Birkerød, March 2010
For three years Jan Korgaard has been working as a volunteer in Center Sandholm.
Center Sandholm is an asylum center for all new asylum seekers in Denmark and those whose claims for asylum has been rejected, and waiting to return to their home countries. Danish Red Cross Asylum Department is responsible for the accommodation of the asylum seekers.
Three years ago, Jan started outdoor football training in Center Sandholm for the male adults. Once a week he came and played football with them. The following year, 20 enthusiastic young men were ready to practice football, when Jan started the practice again. During that season Jan developed the idea that the team should play against other danish teams. In doing that they would get some good experiences, meet danish people as equally and not as asylum seekers, and the danes would get acquaintance with asylum seekers, and therefore a better integration. Jan searched for teams and sponsors to give the football players shoes and clothes. It succeeded to find both, and the team played some matches during the summer. The year after Jan made sure that two teams could enter a tournament, DAI (Danish workers sports union, where amateurs play for fun). Two centres with each teams, and Jan participated at the games with his support and coaching, two times a week from April to October.
Jan is a committed man and very passionate in his work. He has given the young men a lot of self-confidence by trusting them, given them the chance to come out and play football, let them meet other people. Jan has also participated in other arrangements in Sandholm, and has always showed his help and support.
I can only give Jan my deepest and warmest recommendations, and wish him all the best in the future.
Sincerely
Tanja Karsten Volunteer Coordinator
Danish Red Cross Asylum Department Center Sandholm Sandholmgårdsvej 40 DK-3460 Birkerød
