Volunteer fighter: Andreas Lehner defies bureaucracy for refugees!

Volunteer fighter: Andreas Lehner defies bureaucracy for refugees!

Felixallee 9, 92660 Neustadt/WN, Deutschland - Neustadt/WN. A passionate volunteer fights against the bureaucracy! Andreas Lehner, who has been working for the Regensburg aid organization Space Eye for three years, is confronted with disrespectful behavior by employees of the job exchange of the employment agency. Lehner, who heads the “North branch”, has settled in the former clinic in Neustadt/WN and works tirelessly to help refugees and asylum seekers.

with a team of around 20 volunteers, including many refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Ukraine, Lehner has done over 3152 hours of voluntary work since August. He is currently preparing an aid transport to Ukraine, which is due to take place on December 13th and 14th. Despite his intensive efforts to collect donations from schools, only one handful of schools has reacted to his request. "I hope that will change," he says optimistically.

bureaucratic hurdles and disrespectful behavior

But the biggest challenge for Lehner is the problems with the job exchange in Weiden. "The employees are often not very constructive and arrogant," he complains. An example: In order to clarify a simple question about the citizen allowance of a Syrian refugee, he received the answer from an employee: "Then go to the mail if it takes too long ..." Such a behavior is not acceptable for Lehner. The affected refugee, Mohamed J., a 26-year-old physiotherapist, shows how integration can succeed by actively contributing to society.

Communication with other authorities, such as the immigration office,, however, runs smoothly. Nevertheless, Lehner complains about the late delivery of invitation letters from the employment agency, which often only arrive after the appointments. "This is an unnecessary burden. We need our own personnel management that we do not have," he explains frustrated. The Federal Employment Agency reacted to an inquiry and promised to clarify the case individually, emphasized that the satisfaction of customers was a top priority.

call for donations for Ukraine

Space Eye is looking for donations in kind for the upcoming aid transport. Cuddly toys, toys, food and hygiene items are sought. The collecting warehouse in Felixallee 9 in Neustadt/WN is open on Wednesdays and Fridays. Lehner can be reached on 0173/3845765 or by email to weiden@space-eye.org. Every donation counts!