Text and photos: Salla Karhumaa
Heidi’s favorite color is red. It suits her well, because her energy, joy, and busyness recall an Christmas elf. Heidi works at Kuusamo Kieppi’s international services as an integration counselor which is her dream work.
Before this, Heidi worked for a long time in Kuusamo Health Services as a public health nurse and head nurse at the maternity clinic. Her job included health checkups for foreigners, and she has also volunteered with the Red Cross and at a reception center.
Although she had a permanent job, Heidi didn’t hesitate when a temporary counselor position at Kieppi became available. The health sector reform had turned much of her work into remote tasks, which didn’t suit her social and people-loving nature.
“The pay dropped, the working hours became irregular, and the future is uncertain. But this is what I truly want to do.”
Integration counselors are often the first locals that newcomers meet, and people easily build trust with them. A familiar face feels safe. The counselor’s work is to help people to relocate into a new town, language, culture, and daily routines.
“People arriving from a foreign country, speaking a foreign language, need a lot of support and understanding,” Heidi explains.
Refugee families sometimes arrive with nothing but their clothes. Their homes are furnished with donated furniture, toys, and textiles. All school-aged children first attend VALO studies, which prepare them for normal schooling. Adults study Finnish, since language is the best way to connect with others – without it, making friends is difficult.
Integration counselors also guide people on how to open a bank account, get a tax card, place children in daycare, apply for jobs, use public transport, and access healthcare. These relocation services are, of course, available to everyone moving to Kuusamo, whether from Finland or abroad, for work or studies.
Social and warm-hearted Heidi makes people feel seen and heard. But when clear rules are needed, she raises her trademark index finger – and even the biggest man will stop and listen.
Her work brings her into contact with many kinds of people. Every story is different, but one important realization has come from all these meetings:
“No matter where someone comes from, we are all the same – just ordinary people.”
For Heidi, this is not a slogan but a truth learned through daily work. She meets clients with genuine listening, questions, encouragement – and laughter.
Her empathy and emotional intelligence are key when working with people arriving in Finland for different reasons. Foreigners appreciate her style, which is straightforward and firm, yet warm. Many have become her friends, and she always takes a moment to chat if they meet in town.
Heidi is a great example of a Kuusamo local who looks at the world with open eyes. She brings joy, heart, and valuable experience to her workplace.
And when she says, “Everything will work out, one way or another,” you can believe it without doubt.
