A few friends from different backgrounds in Tampere came to realise in the summer of 2000 that the city was becoming more and more multicultural, but there no central place or service to enable people to meet and learn about each other. We felt that it was important for Finns and foreigners to participate in activities together. The idea grew to embrace the notion that foreigners can help other foreigners to fit into this Finnish society by offering support and sharing advice based on their own experiences.
* Organising monthly multicultural events so we can show off our cultures and meet people.
* Offering weekly courses of all kinds so foreigners can both learn things and teach things. We all have skills to pass on to others.
* Linking up with other foreigner groups so we can pool our resources.
* Linking up with voluntary organisations so that we can do something useful with our time here, even without a job.
* Getting information together about Tampere and Finland, in a booklet and web page.
* Starting a Buddy System, where long-term residents show new arrivals around.
