Sometimes it’s the unexpected moments that stay with us the longest. October 30, 2026, was one such day for a family at the Oslebshausen Correctional Facility.
The mother and her three daughters had traveled from Hamburg to Bremen that day to see their father and husband during a routine visit. It was a special trip for the family, as the father had only recently been transferred from Hamburg to the Bremen-Oslebshausen Correctional Facility. Much of this was still new to the family, and so time together was precious.
What the family didn’t know at first was that they were about to experience something truly special that day.
As part of the Game with Mum & Dad project, a spot opened up at the last minute because another family had unexpectedly canceled. The family liaison at the Oslebshausen Correctional Facility recognised the opportunity and worked to ensure that the family could participate in the event on short notice.
And so, an ordinary visit turned into what is an extraordinary experience for children affected by parental imprisonment.
Instead of the limited time of a regular visit, the family was able to play together, laugh and share carefree moments. The three young girls were able to spend time with their father in a completely different way for once: not just in the context of a visit, but as a father spending time with his children, having fun, and giving them his undivided attention. The mother, too, was able to enjoy this precious moment together with her children and her husband.
The joy was clearly visible on everyone’s faces. The father, his three daughters and the mother were overjoyed by this unexpected opportunity. Precisely because the father had only recently been transferred to Bremen and the family was still adjusting to the new situation, this time together held a very special meaning.
For the children, this afternoon meant experiencing their father once again up close as a playmate and as part of their family.
This encounter shows just how much a small moment of flexibility can achieve. A last-minute cancellation turned into an opportunity for a family that hadn’t expected it at all.
The significance of this afternoon became particularly moving when expressed in the father’s own words:
“I love my family and I want to be there for my children. My children aren’t to blame for my mistakes, and this event is very important to them. This carefree time is so precious.”
His words make it clear how much he wants to be an active and loving father, despite his imprisonment. For him, GWMD is an opportunity to give his children his full attention and spend a moment free from the stresses of everyday life and the family’s unique circumstances.
GWMD embodies exactly these kinds of moments: it fosters connections, strengthens family bonds and allows parents and children to share positive experiences together despite imprisonment.
For this Family, October 30, 2026, wasn’t just another visiting day, but an unexpected gift of time together.
