Empathy is her recipe for success

"Potatoes. There are so many potatoes here," answers Debora Cici Rumahorbo when asked what she finds difficult to get used to in Germany. She laughs and talks about the cliché about German food that persists abroad. However, apart from an unshared fondness for potatoes, the young woman, who came to East Westphalia from a small town in Indonesia three years ago, feels very much at home in Germany.

Debora Cici Rumahorbo gently lifts a client's head and slowly brings the drinking bottle to her mouth. She carefully dabs the area around her mouth with a cloth. The 22-year-old looks after the residents at Haus Enon with great empathy and sensitivity. People with complex disabilities live at the facility in Bielefeld-Bethel. As a care assistant, the Indonesian supports them with everyday tasks such as personal hygiene and eating. She previously worked here as a Betheljahr participant.

"I learnt a lot during my Betheljahr," reports Debora Cici Rumahorbo, who came to Germany as an au pair at the age of 19. Together with other young people from all over the world, she started her voluntary social year at Bethel in autumn 2022. "It was a great time: I got to know participants from other countries. We lived together, helped and encouraged each other," she says, looking back. "We were all in the same situation - far away from home." She also quickly became friends with the German Betheljahr participants. The young adults from abroad were given tips for everyday life in workshops organised by the Bethel volunteer agency.

The biggest hurdle for Debora Cici Rumahorbo at the beginning was language. "However, that wasn't a problem for the clients because communication tends to be non-verbal anyway," explains department manager Anika Gohdes. With her friendly manner, her team quickly took the young woman to their hearts. "She has made great progress. She is interested and asks questions, which goes down well with her colleagues." Anika Gohdes emphasises that there is great interpersonal cohesion at Haus Enon. This is also confirmed by the care assistant: "The Germans are very open and helpful."

When Debora Cici Rumahorbo set off for Europe alone three years ago, her parents were worried. "But it was my great wish," she emphasises. There are better career opportunities in Germany. Her little sister will also be taking part in the Bethel Year International in the autumn. Debora Cici Rumahorbo has noticed that her mother and father are now much more reassured about her. "Now they just say: stick with your older sister, she knows her stuff."

Despite the great distance, Debora Cici Rumahorbo has a close relationship with her family. She cannot imagine returning to her home country permanently for the time being. Even a holiday will have to wait, as she is now starting her training as a medical assistant. The popular colleague will continue to support the team at Haus Enon at weekends. "We wouldn't want to miss Debora," says the manager.

Text: Christina Heitkämper | Picture: Matthias Cremer