– If everyone around you belongs to a group, and you are the only one who doesn’t, it can feel a bit disgusting and you feel very left out, says Marthine Vesterhus. Together with fellow students Nathalie Grundeland and Frøya Hansen, she has created a Russian group for girls. – There is no limit for our group. Anyone who wants to can join, regardless of where they live, says Hansen. Now the group has over 40 members from Bodø in the north to Lindesnes in the south. On Facebook and TikTok they invited girls all over the country to join their Russian group. – I had just been thrown out of a bus The southerners got an immediate response. The messages poured in from people who don’t have a friend group at the school they attend. Several also said that they had been thrown out by Russian groups. – Now they can join our group and feel that they still have a group, just a little further away, says Grundeland. Erika Bitocco from Bærum is one of those in the Russian group. – I had just been thrown out of a bus and Russian group when I saw the video on TikTok. So I think it was a good opportunity. Then I thought that this is inclusion, and that is quite important in the Russian era, she says. Mari Helgemo Næss from Tønsberg also saw the video on TikTok. She threw herself on. – I don’t have many friends who are Russians, she says. Did you have someone to be with during the Russian era? Now she is looking forward to Russian time. – It is super important that you don’t sit alone, she says. – It’s not cool to be the one at school who doesn’t get to go on a bus because you’re not cool enough. So it is very important to include everyone. Quite simply, says Næss. Last week, VG wrote about exclusion, bullying and fear among drunks and students at upper secondary schools in Oslo. This has led to students not daring to use the canteen. Now city council leader Raymond Johansen has called the Russian on the carpet to discuss measures to prevent exclusion, writes the newspaper. Marthine Vesterhus, Nathalie Grundeland and Frøya Hansen have started a Russian group on Snapchat. Must have a Russian group to be invited The three southerners have also experienced exclusion and not belonging to a group themselves. They say that you usually have to be part of a Russian group to be invited to various parties. – We have not been invited to all parties. It’s not a good feeling, says Vesterhus. Several fellow students at Mandal upper secondary school confirm that it can be difficult to fit into the rush hour. Many people create groups and order group sweaters. It can be painful for some. – You notice those who don’t have a Russian sweater, and then it’s easier to get banned, says Marthea Askelsen. Marthea Askelsen and Pia Marie Grimestad Karlsen think the initiative is good. Photo: Anna Rut Tørressen Early to create Russian groups Medruss Kristoffer Selfors thinks it’s about the Russian groups being formed so early. – Our group was formed three years ago, and since then we have stayed together. It makes it more difficult for others who are not as early. Kari Haaland Wichne is head of department at Mandal upper secondary school and is responsible for Russian. She confirms that Russian groups are formed early, and that it often happens even before the students start upper secondary school. She is impressed by the girls’ initiative. – They are able to see both themselves, but also tackle the challenge many high school students across the country are experiencing with inclusion and outsiders. Andreas Moland and Kristoffer Selfors say they try to be good at inclusion. Photo: Anna Rut Tørressen Group clothes give belonging In the new girls’ group, measures are also taken to create a sense of belonging. They have their own logo, which they don’t want to show yet. In addition, it will be possible to buy group clothes. – Even if you are alone at a school, you can walk around with the sweater and show that you belong to a group. The others just aren’t right here. The girls add that you don’t have to buy clothes to participate. – We intend to keep a very low budget so that everyone can participate, says Vesterhus. The name of the Russian group is clear, but not launched. Until now, they call themselves NR 2023. Keeping in touch on Snapchat In the classroom, the Russian group NR 2023 has a meeting. Of over 40 members, only three meet physically, naturally enough. Most of the contact is kept on Snapchat, but physical gatherings are now also planned. – We are thinking of inviting everyone here. So we have to find a date that suits most people. We have room for accommodation and can pick up at the train station or the airport, says Vesterhus. Parts of the Russian group are gathered here. Most over Snapchat. Photo: Anna Rut Tørressen / news The group will also meet at several national Russian meetings. The inclusive Russian group previously had up to 60 members, but since many were from the same area, they formed a smaller group. Grundeland is happy to have contributed to people who live close to each other getting to know each other. – The fact that someone gets to know each other and creates a group where they live is very nice. Our group is really for those who don’t have a group. Now the Russian group hopes that their measures will spread to the next generation of Russians, so that more people will feel included. Do you have any advice for the Russians to prevent people falling outside? Hi! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you do not have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue
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They saw how drugs were banned – now they have collected drugs from all over the country – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
