12 December | Tyrifjord, Norway [Tiani Præstiin with tedNEWS]

On Saturday 19 November students from Tyrifjord High School,Norway, welcomed a group of Ukrainian teenagers to play and celebrate Christmastogether. The event, organised by the local Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) team,aimed to help refugeesseeking asylum in Norway (more than 30,000 since the beginning of the war) feelwelcome and loved.

“We try to facilitate the building of friendships betweenlocal youth and those newly arrived from Ukraine to ensure they have a goodnetwork and support system,” explains Frida Reierson Pascoe, ADRA NorwayEducation Advisor. “Each activity we’ve organised has included get-to-know-you games, food, with opportunities totalk and connect.”

So far, the team has supported over 130 teenagers. “While there are manyefforts aimed at helping children and parents, we saw a gap in the Council'sefforts toward youth,” Pascoe shared. Moved by compassion, the ADRA team has moved into action and is workingin cooperation with local church volunteers who bake cakes, a handful ofUkrainian and Russian interpreters, and several drivers. “These youth have beenvery positive about meeting each other multiple times and have always expressed how much they are lookingforward to the next opportunity,” said Pascoe.

“Unfortunately, this will possibly be the last chance we hadto meet with them,” explained Tiani Præstiin, one of the event participants. “In December therefugee reception at Hvalsmoen closes and the Ukrainians will be dispersed to morepermanent homes. But thanks to ADRA, and everyone who turned up, for thissuccessful and moving evening.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects a similar influx ofrefugees in 2023 due to the ongoing conflict,” Pascoe remarked, encouraging allto continue supporting in this time of crisis. “We thank Tyrifjord, the local ADRA team, and everyone who turned up for asuccessful and lovely evening.”