If you want to get to the Häuselmann family in Bäriswil, you have to take the S-Bahn and bus from Bern and then climb up a steep, gritty footpath. At the top is an old timber-framed house with lots of wood, low ceilings, a few rustic pieces of furniture and oil paintings on the walls. The view is of greenery, there is a vegetable patch, chickens and chickens are part of the household. Eight-year-old son Thomas likes to jump on the trampoline in the garden and wears a red T-shirt with a white cross on it. His father Philipp is on the local council and his trousers are held up by an Appenzeller belt with cow and edelweiss appliqués. And then mum Anamaria immediately dispels all the Swiss clichés when she greets the guests: "We are a multicultural family," she says with a slight accent and welcomes them with a firm handshake. She is from Romania and has now lived in Switzerland with her husband for 10 years. However, she only recently became a naturalised citizen. "I haven't felt this Swiss for a long time," says Anamaria Häuselmann.

Baitullah was also a political decision for the family: "We have seen that politicians often decide differently, but we as a family also have a voice. We want to help if we can," says Anamaria Häuselmann. What's more, the house is far too big for three people anyway. "I'm used to it differently: little space, lots of people, lots of laughter," says Anamaria.

Last October, the family applied to the Swiss Refugee Council to become a host family. The prerequisites for taking in a guest are "a furnished room for at least a year, time to help the guest a little in the new country, flexibility and openness," says Julia Vielle, who manages the host family project for four cantons at Swiss Refugee Aid. Flexibility is already required when choosing a guest: "Many people here want a woman or a family. But most of the refugees looking for a place to stay are young men." The Häuselmann family would also like to take in a mother and child, "so that Thomas can wear the children's clothes again." But when they heard that it would probably be a young man, that was fine with them. "You just have to look at the person."

Only one person in the family wasn't so keen on the idea: son Thomas. He didn't really want anyone else in the house. "We then sat down and explained to him that these young people had no peace and quiet and no family. But that he would of course be allowed to have a say and that we would only do it if he liked the guest."

So the eight-year-old tipped the scales at the first meeting with Baitullah. After a few minutes, the otherwise shy boy sat down next to the teenager as a matter of course.

You can also see that the two of them like each other when Baitullah comes home from school that day. Thomas beams at him from the dining table - and then stuffs a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

Baitullah spent about six months in a home for unaccompanied minors before he came of age. Then he wanted to live with a host family. "Because you learn German and cook much better there," he says. He was lucky, because there are far more people on the applicant side than on the host family side.

Where can you find out more about becoming a host family and apply? Read the box on page 3 of this article.

The Swiss Refugee Council's host family project has an unwritten rule: the hosts do not ask the refugee about their past. If they wish, they can tell about it themselves. "This is to prevent constant re-traumatisation," says project manager Vielle.

Baitullah doesn't want to say much. It makes him sad that he has to tell the stories to the immigration authorities, he says. His host parents understand this: "It's no longer about what he has experienced, but about his future," they say.

Nevertheless, every now and then a fragment of the past pops up that makes the family shudder. For example, when they suddenly realised that Baitullah was very good at climbing and he just shrugged his shoulders and commented that he had to climb over the rocks when he was in danger. The Häuselmanns also know that Baitullah was never able to attend school because the route there led through dangerous al-Qaeda territory. In addition to German, Baitullah is now also learning maths, chemistry and physics at school for the first time.

His biggest help: Thomas. He often asks the eight-year-old for advice on his homework and he is incredibly proud that he can help. The Häuselmann son is now quite clear: he would take in a refugee again at any time! Maybe that's because Baitullah likes to play on the trampoline with him. Every day. Just not for the picture today, says Baitullah, stroking his styled hair with concern. "He's just a teenager," says the host mum.

Otherwise, there's no sign of any late-pubescent airs and graces. Beitullah helps out around the house, often without being asked. He is polite, reserved, laughs at every joke his host parents make, often comes along to events and has already made basketball friends in the neighbourhood.

Baitullah moves around the Häuselmanns' house so carefully and deliberately, his room is so tidy, that the word "guest" seems more appropriate than "family member". And this despite the fact that he has been living with the Häuselmanns for six months now. "That's probably also a cultural difference," says Julia Vielle from the refugee aid organisation. Another Afghan guest, whom they had accommodated with a senior citizen, would strictly refuse to call his hostess by her first name. Out of respect.

Expecting too much from the guest is the most common problem when arranging a shared flat. "Refugees often want to settle down first and foremost. The host families are almost too motivated to take them everywhere and treat them like a member of the family" says Vielle. Others expect a great deal of gratitude - which is also difficult, as this prevents them from meeting as equals. The guests pay rent and bring money for food from the social welfare office - all other help and agreements are not a matter of course, but have to be agreed individually.

In fact, it is the warmth and cheerfulness that have surprised host parents Philipp and Anamaria Häuselmann the most about Baitullah. Only Ramadan has actually been a little difficult so far. "Baitullah was too tired for everything and not in such a good mood," recalls Philipp.

Apart from that, the young man's most striking feature is that he is becoming increasingly independent: Soon he will even be looking after the house on his own when the family is travelling. They would prefer to take him with them, assures host mother Anamaria, but with his refugee status, Baitullah is not allowed to leave the country.

And the neighbours in idyllic Bäriswil? What did they say about the unusual decision? Philipp Häuselmann shrugs his shoulders: "Nobody was really enthusiastic about our idea of taking in a refugee as a guest. But nobody really protested either." When Baitullah arrived, there was a dinner with the whole local council at Häuselmann's house and Baitullah joined them. Now it's no longer an issue.

While the family walks around the house and checks whether the wasp nests are still hanging from the blinds, Baitullah gently holds his hand on little Thomas's shoulder and unobtrusively pushes him away from the wasps. This protective gesture of a big brother has been learnt: Baitullah himself had three little brothers in Afghanistan. The Häuselmanns don't know where they are today. And Baitullah probably doesn't know either, as he rarely has contact with his family back home.

Are you also thinking about giving a refugee a home? You can contact the following organisations for more information: