The House in Nandlstadt

 What once was an office building intended for 15 people is now occupied by 50 people who call it home. The asylum house in Nandlstadt sits between a busy road and a warehouse where massive trucks speed in and out. It had a narrow industrial fence that lined the perimeter of the building. It was built a few years back and aimed at keeping the children who live in the house from harm’s way. Children played in the small space between the building and the fence, though it afforded them little to no room.  

Andreas was immediately welcomed by a woman from the second story. After their enthusiastic exchange of pleasantries, he introduced us: “These are two students from America. They are here to observe my work.” “Oh…” the woman responded, paired with a look of indifference. A look that expressed that many like us have come and gone with their broken promises of change. As we entered the house, others walked up and down the corridor of beaten and scuffed walls, in and out of the many office rooms cluttered with personal belongings and beds. These individuals appeared too hopeful. Expecting us to deliver good news, but we came empty-handed. Also, setting up expectations that would be left unmet. For the remainder of the visit, Iliana and I watched and spoke with young children who roamed the halls of that large building. They showed us toys and had us play “doctor” with a plastic stethoscope. 

These individuals, that house, those conditions are the reasons why programs such as ours are so important. It is so that we are not only reading about them in newspapers and articles but genuinely seeing the crisis at hand. We can empower ourselves and those around us to take action and call for change. These are images and sentiments that I will carry with me for the rest of my education, future career, and life. We mustn’t give up on efforts toward addressing the migration crisis. This is not somebody else’s problem, it is all of ours, and we are all responsible for providing solutions. 

- Post by Citlalli Benitez

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