In this initiative, young people between the ages of 18 and 30 take the role of mentors and commit to joining a weekly afternoon with the child in an informal environment. The idea is to be a reference or a positive model for the child, and especially to accompany a child in a vulnerable situation: “Listen, guide, empathize with him, make constructive reviews, provide experience and availability”. This monitoring aims, among other things, to positively influence the child's personal, emotional and social well-being, self-esteem and relationships.

Somehow, the experience helps to “alleviate the backpack of the child who experiences the migratory process”, according to the participants in this report made in Argia.

In addition, the organizers emphasize that the benefit is double, as it represents a contribution to the mentor, both in the accompaniment and in the learning of life.

Organized by SOS Racism, in Gipuzkoa, 37 couples have been formed with volunteers from the UPV/EHU, Deusto, Nazareth, Musikene and Politécnica de Easo. The initiative has also been extended to Bizkaia and Álava, with the help of the Ellacuria Foundation and the Association of Indirect Refugees.

“You must not save anyone”

Although mentoring is an important and enriching help, the volunteers who present themselves as mentors are informed from the organization: the mentorial relationship does not replace the family and the network of relationships of the child, and if the child is experiencing a difficult situation and the mentor feels that he cannot help adequately, it should not be frustrated: “With what you’re doing, you’re doing your bit; the mental relationship is the help relationship the child has at a certain point in life, you don’t have to save anyone.”