Bridge Builders – Our Cultural Mediators

The Town of Hafnarfjörður has three Bridge Builders who help parents with a foreign background find their way in Icelandic society. The three staff members are Elizabeth López Arriaga, Freyja Maria Cabrera and Rima Alhakeem. Together they speak Spanish, Arabic and English. The cultural mediators also use interpreters if support is needed in other languages.

The Hafnarfjörður community has changed significantly in recent years and has become increasingly diverse. Over 16% of the town’s residents are of foreign origin. This development calls for targeted and professional measures that ensure equal access, participation and well-being for all residents. In this work, the Bridge Builders have played a key role.

Among 30 services supporting children’s prosperity

The Bridge Builders are among nearly 30 services aimed at strengthening the prosperity of children in Hafnarfjörður. Well-being Week is now taking place in the capital area. The goal is to raise parents’ awareness of the new way municipalities work together for the benefit of children. Today, different specialists work together to ensure that children receive the right support at the right time.

The Bridge Builders work at the intersection of schools, leisure activities and families, providing invaluable support to children of foreign origin and their parents. They assist families in understanding Icelandic society and public services, share information, break down linguistic and cultural barriers and support parents in taking an active role in their children’s education and social life. Through this work, trust is built, cooperation between home and institutions is strengthened and a safer environment is created for children.

Improved adaptation for children

The results of the Bridge Builders’ work can be seen not only in improved adaptation of children and increased family participation, but also in stronger community cohesion. When parents understand the system, feel welcome and trust the school and leisure services, participation increases, communication improves and the risk of marginalization decreases. This has a positive effect on the community as a whole.

The well-performed work of the Bridge Builders in Hafnarfjörður clearly shows that this type of service is not a temporary project but a necessary support structure in a modern, multicultural municipality. Supporting and strengthening this work is an investment in children, families and the future of Hafnarfjörður.

Parents and staff can contact the Bridge Builders directly at: bru@hafnarfjordur.is
Please specify the language in which support is needed.

Photo caption: Rima Alhakeem and Freyja Maria Cabrera are our Bridge Builders in Hafnarfjörður.