Break the language barrier - Booka Local
Booka Local breaks down the language barriers between foreigners and the locals - Pro Bono services for sexually assaulted victims.
Project Description
Booka Local connects internationals with local helpers nearby in a way just like getting an Uber, but instead of a taxi you get a helpful local on the way to you!
Hi, I'm Mei Chi Lo, the creator of the Booka Local app. As an international here in Berlin, I understand the frustration of not understanding the local language in situations like speaking with service providers or at government offices. In 2018, I was sexually assaulted in Berlin and found it difficult to file a report due to language barriers. I was lucky that I got the support needed through the help of my German fiancé that bridges the language barrier. However, not everyone in this kind of stressful situation has a timely helping hand. Thus, I got a challenging spirit to put these traumatic and frustrating experiences to work for a positive cause—creating an app that connects international people with local helpers who speak the language and understand German bureaucracy. We also offer our service to sexually assaulted victims for free - we will support them with necessary paperwork and communication in German. We are starting our service in Berlin and expanding to other German cities. We are looking forward to expanding to more non-English speaking countries to reach to more people in need.
When language barriers knock you down, we lift you up.
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
1. Does Booka Local encourage internationals NOT to learn the local language?
We highly encourage the internationals to learn the local language - we also organise meet-ups to do language exchange. But when we give them a helping hand at the beginning of their stay, they can get their new life started easier. Besides, the language level required in order to communicate with service providers (e.g. handyman, technicians) or at the government offices is actually quite high. Booka Local can help them with these kind of occasional barriers while we encourage them to learn the language socially.
2. Why pro bono service to the sexually assaulted?
Our founder, Mei Chi, has been in touch with the international community in Berlin and she has found out that a significant number of them has experienced sexual assaults of different levels. Worse still, because of the language barrier and the expected and overwhelming paperwork needed to do (in German), a lot of them decided to keep silent. Therefore, she decided to offer Booka Local to this group of people for free, as language barrier shouldn't get into their way. Besides, it's always good to have a local buddy to go through this kind of rough process with. Our message to the predators is: no one is here alone.
3. Any safety issues when two strangers are paired up by the app and meet in person?
Personal safety is our highest priority. First, we screen our local helpers and give them a proper onboarding to know all the necessary procedures. And, most of the in-person appointments take place in public places, e.g. government offices, banks, etc. The only situation where the services take place in private apartments is when a third party is also involved, e.g. landlord, handyman, real estate agent.
You will have a bag with our logo. You can BYOB to do your grocery shopping and help us spread the message.
Just Because I Care
Your contribution helps us sustain our platform. We will give you a BIG THANK YOU on our instagram story.
We have made postcards to spread the word about our pro bono service for the sexually assaulted victims. We will send you 2 versions of them, so you can also spread the message of this good cause.
Book Name: Ask the Locals
We have come up with 100 questions that internationals have for the German culture. We interviewed a lot of a German people (of different age and cities) and collected their opinions on questions like "Is there still a difference between East Berlin and West Berlin?" and "One thing you wish foreigners knew before coming to Germany". This book is made to facilitate cultural understanding and to break stereotyping. The foreigners can get informed from the real people instead of reading from google search results.
You can have our team t-shirt and make us known to your friends. :)
Book Name: Ask the Locals
We have come up with 100 questions that internationals have for the German culture. We interviewed a lot of a German people (of different age and cities) and collected their opinions on questions like "Is there still a difference between East Berlin and West Berlin?" and "One thing you wish foreigners knew before coming to Germany". This book is made to facilitate cultural understanding and to break stereotyping. The foreigners can get informed from the real people instead of reading from google search results.
We will be really grateful for your contribution. The journey of founding a female-led company is rough but we are happy to have you in it. Your contribution will make a positive change to the life of many international people. :)
Rewards
You will have a bag with our logo. You can BYOB to do your grocery shopping and help us spread the message.
Just Because I Care
Your contribution helps us sustain our platform. We will give you a BIG THANK YOU on our instagram story.
We have made postcards to spread the word about our pro bono service for the sexually assaulted victims. We will send you 2 versions of them, so you can also spread the message of this good cause.
Book Name: Ask the Locals
We have come up with 100 questions that internationals have for the German culture. We interviewed a lot of a German people (of different age and cities) and collected their opinions on questions like "Is there still a difference between East Berlin and West Berlin?" and "One thing you wish foreigners knew before coming to Germany". This book is made to facilitate cultural understanding and to break stereotyping. The foreigners can get informed from the real people instead of reading from google search results.
You can have our team t-shirt and make us known to your friends. :)
Book Name: Ask the Locals
We have come up with 100 questions that internationals have for the German culture. We interviewed a lot of a German people (of different age and cities) and collected their opinions on questions like "Is there still a difference between East Berlin and West Berlin?" and "One thing you wish foreigners knew before coming to Germany". This book is made to facilitate cultural understanding and to break stereotyping. The foreigners can get informed from the real people instead of reading from google search results.
We will be really grateful for your contribution. The journey of founding a female-led company is rough but we are happy to have you in it. Your contribution will make a positive change to the life of many international people. :)