Doing good together: Donation to the German Child Protection Association in Eschweiler
As in every year, we are once again committed to a good cause and are supporting a local organization. We are very pleased to be supporting the Eschweiler branch of the German Child Protection Association (Kinderschutzbund) with a donation this year. We were delighted to welcome the branch’s managing director, Thorsten Ingermann, and its chairwoman, Mariethres Kaleß, to our premises for the donation handover.
Donations for a Lived Community
“Many families and children simply need to feel seen,” says Mariethres Kaleß at our donation handover, as she explains how the cultural and recreational activities at the DKSB Eschweiler are organized. Often, she says, not much is needed to achieve great things with limited resources. For example, the DKSB’s playground festival requires little effort to attract a large number of local families, foster networking, and provide an enjoyable celebration together. The goal of every event: to create shared memories, promote community, and have fun together. Thorsten Ingermann emphasizes the diverse mix of participants at the events; the children often come from different parts of town and have varied personal backgrounds. “Events like the playground festival counteract isolation and ensure that no one feels left out,” Ingermann continues.
Integration is a top priority
The playground festival is just one example of the wonderful work the German Child Protection Association (DKSB) does locally: Its more than 90 employees are dedicated to providing childcare at five primary schools in Eschweiler, now caring for over 800 children every day. They offer not only morning and full-day care during school days, but also during school holidays and on bridge days, giving children the opportunity to grow together with their peers and protecting children who face various challenges in their daily lives.
At the same time, the Eschweiler branch of the German Child Protection Association also helps families and adults. They offer support for parents, training opportunities for young people, and continuing education opportunities, including for adults. Ms. Kaleß reports on a group of dedicated volunteers who help refugees navigate bureaucratic processes and government offices, while also working to overcome language barriers and teach German. “This is integration in action, and we are delighted to be able to support this work this year,” says our Managing Director, Michael Pütz.
Want to learn more about the work of the DKSB Eschweiler, or even get involved yourself? On the website you’ll find lots of information about the valuable work of the Eschweiler local branch.
