The pilot project Kinguaariit Inuunerissut Camp (KI-camp) ran from 2021 to 2023 with a summer camp, an autumn meeting, and a winter camp in Nuuk, as well as a winter camp, a summer meeting, and two summer camps in Sisimiut. The learning and experiences gained through the project are now being used to further develop ideas and elements under the name KI-concept.
There is a great need for well-being-promoting interventions focusing on children and young people in Greenland due to the very high incidences of violence, abuse, and misuse of alcohol and hash during upbringing. Older people are often an overlooked resource in the communities. High suicide rates and frequent suicidal behavior among young people in Greenland have remained almost unchanged since the 1970s. Young people today experience a loss of identity and culture, and many older people experience loneliness.
Our research on young people's mental health has shown that relationships with older people is significant for young people's mental health in Greenland.
Purpose
The development of the KI-concept is done in collaboration with Qeqqata Kommunia with the aim of targeting and implementing the KI-concept in schools, kindergartens, and after-school programs. The main activities in the project are:
- Development and execution of recurring workshops for municipal project leaders and employees in the municipality's 2 towns and 6 settlements (bygd) with training in the KI-concept.
- Implementation of the adapted KI-concept across the municipality.
- Ongoing documentation and evaluation of the activities' impact on the well-being and health of children and older people through research.
We aim to reach all children and young people in the municipality, so that they become acquainted with older people from the local community during their childhood while learning about Greenlandic culture in practice. We envision that older people volunteer and participate at a level that suits them by visiting kindergartens and schools and engaging in activities such as cooking, storytelling, crafts, trips on the land, etc. The activities should be adapted to the specific target group, the volunteer, and the individual institution.
Method
- Interviews with managers of schools, kindergartens, and after-school centers
- Observations in selected schools, kindergartens, and after-school programs in connection with activities involving the older volunteers
- Sharing circles with older volunteers
- Start-up and follow-up workshops with managers, municipal employees, and the older people
- Photos and videos from activities
- Documentation of conducted activities from kindergartens and schools
Project period
2024-2025
Collaboration and Funding
Qeqqata Kommunia
Paarisa
Karen Elise Jensens Fond