Minor Treat

We have launched a brand new website for 2016!

New products and services will be added to it throughout the forthcoming months.

Exciting times!!!

The purpose of this crowdfunding campaign is simple. An event, due to take place in Berlin on September 5th, had to be cancelled at the last minute. We'd hoped to donate 100% of the proceeds from this show to refugees in Berlin, and remain disappointed to have been unable to do that. Further, there was so much online outrage expressed at the fact this money wasn't raised that we want to facilitate these individuals still giving their 4-6€ (or more) to the cause.   If Facebook indications were correct and 50 people attended, paying an average of 5€ each (the entrance was a 4-6€ sliding scale), then we would have generated 250€ in total. With this crowdfunding campaign, however, we would like to aim for double. Why? Only those in close proximity to the show could attend, but via the internet so many more people can participate. We believe that aiming to receive 5€ from 100 people doesn't seem far-fetched. Why refugees? There are so many answers to this question! Germany expects to receive a record 800,000 refugees and asylum seekers this year, which would be more than the entire EU continent combined in 2014. Unfortunately the danger and difficulties don't stop when the refugees reach Germany. Without the ability to obtain housing due to financial or legal restrictions (in addition to racial discrimination) they are placed in huge isolated camps in places like Brandenburg, with no access to shops or other people. For many individuals, especially women, queer and trans people, and those with children, the situation is often unbearable. These places are extremely unsafe, with at least 340 attacks taking place on refugee camps in Germany this year alone. These attacks are fueled by radical right-wing and anti-immigrant sentiment, including vandalism, hate speech and arson, as well as violent attacks on people. Further to this, however, with winter approaching many refugees will struggle in the inadequate conditions. Further informative articles on the situation can be found on the respective Guardian, Collidoscope and BBCwebsites. What is a Soli-Zimmer? The literal translation is "soli room", which is when someone makes a room in their home available free of charge, typically to refugees and those seeking asylum. The idea behind a Soli-Zimmer isn't new. In fact, in cities like Berlin it has been ongoing for many years, but with gentrification taking a hold and rent rising for everyone, it has become a lot harder for people to make available a room for free in their WG. The result? Where there once existed a pool of Soli-Zimmern, there now exists very few, each of which is placed under continual and critical demand.  There are, of course, added benefits to housing refugees, the main one being: integration. Many refugees have little hope of returning home, in some instances being completely unable to because their countries are engulfed by endless conflict or, more often, because they fear persecution if they were to return. Integrating into the local community of their host country offers them the opportunity of starting a new life, and whilst a complex and gradual process, it can be achieved with our help. To welcome refugees is about more than stickering walls and waving flags; it's about physically welcoming them into our homes and communities. It's about sharing a drink or a meal with them. It's about listening to their stories, and telling them yours. It's about making them feel safe and secure, warm and wanted. Where does the money go? Every single cent of the money raised through this crowdfunding platform will faciliate us paying the rent and relevant bills for (an as yet undetermined number of) refugees. The average all inclusive rent per room in Berlin is between 300-400€ per calendar month, with the exact amount being determined by both location and size (of room). The more "desirable" the location and larger the room, the more expensive; but whilst location isn't an especially important factor when housing refugees, size of room is. The larger the room the greater the chance of keeping family members or friends together, without resulting in either discomfort or forced separation.  Remember: 300€ covers only one room for one month, and therefore even if we were to reach 500€ with this campaign, we'd be struggling to house someone for two months. In combination with other initiatives, we would like to generate 1.200€ to cover rent from November through to the end of February, i.e. the worst of the winter months. Obviously if our funding is surpassed on Indiegogo, or via our other initiatives, then we will either be able to house more people during the winter months, or the same people for longer. Unable to contribute? If you're unable to participate, either financially or through this online medium, don't worry! There are other ways to help us achieve our goal: - share this Indiegogo campaign through your email contacts or social media, in the hope of reaching those who can donate online - if you live in Berlin, perhaps participate in one of our other initiatives, such as our regular monthly Refugee Support Soli-KüFA, or one of the two Refugee Support Soli-Abends scheduled for September 10th and September 17th There are in fact countless ways to help the refugees who arrive in your community, and we are in the process of working on an infographic detailing this. Once complete we will circulate it at a later date.  Note: Indiegogo takes 5% of the total amount raised, so for each 5€ contribution we lose 25c. It might not seem like much, but it will soon add up to a hefty amount. If you are able to cover this fee, please consider amending your donation to take this into consideration.  Love and rage! xo