Background
The present activities of Tamam started in January 2003 under the name IVIK-gruppen. This was an informal group of student volunteers working idealistically and independently in Lund. The need among newly arrived youth immigrants was extensive, not least due to the lack of social contacts and spare time activities that many suffered from. The tendency for growth of youth gangs was evident. A cry for help from school personnel resulted in the activities of Tamam being initiated for the students of so called IVIK-classes (studies for immigrant youth preparing to enter Swedish classes). Originally the activity of Tamam was based on giving the opportunity for participants to try a new activity at local sports and cultural associations every week. Interest grew rapidly and the activities were gradually expanded with excursions, camps and home work support. Tamam became an integration project for and by youth.
In 2007 Tamam received a prize from the Anti-violence foundation for being one of Sweden's most important projects working against violence in society. The organization also received a grant from Färs and Frosta savings bank for its contribution to development of society. During the year a corresponding group called Move It was also founded in Gothenburg. Tamam received the Integration Prize of Lund Municipality in 2008.
In May 2008 Tamam passed from being an informal group to being a separate non-profit association with its own statutes and board. For the first time Tamam became an independent aid organization aimed at working with children and youth in exclusion in Sweden as well as abroad. In a world were the place where one is born and whom ones parents are will determine ones future prospects we can not wait and see. We must think fast. Help us to help.
