Jorge

My embassy and residence were in East Berlin. However, my children attended a French school in West Berlin.

I am 63 years old. I was born in Bula, Guinea-Bissau. In 1970 I came to Germany (Güstrow former GDR) for my education to become a car mechanic. At the same time I have also learned German at the RDR Institut (comparable to the Goethe Institut). For me German is very difficult, in particular the various articles.

After finishing my training I returned to Guinea, Bissau. Before I was deployed at the embassy in Germany in 1987, I was active in Senegal and Algeria. That's where my children were born as well.

The embassy and my residence were located in East Berlin.

My children on the other hand went to a french school in West Berlin. They were welcomed at Checkpoint Charlie by French Soldiers, accompanied to school and also brought back home.

TheirStory; Chance-Berlin gGmbH; Diversity;

Jorge, Checkpoint Charlie, Jenny, 2024

My children learned to speak German quickly. They were also active in sports clubs and have solid jobs nowadays. My daughter is an educator, she is married with three children. One of my sons is married to a Turkish woman, they live in Solingen.

Due to the political situation in Guinea-Bissau and my declining health it was impossible for me to return to my home country.

I think it's crucial to be fluent in the language. That’s why there should be offered more German courses. On the other hand it's equally important to work towards integration.
Typical German for me are thoroughness and punctuality.

'I feel comfortable in Germany and tended not to have any major problems with integration'