Supportive paddle learning aids for underprivileged children located globally
### Recognising the Commitment of Lernpaten in County Neuwied
County Neuwied recently celebrated the annual appreciation event for its Lernpaten, a project that has been running for 14 years and has made a significant impact on the educational journey of many children. The event, held at the Roman World in Rheinbrohl, honoured Eva-Maria Languth, Waltraud Ehl, Gabriele Bastian, Linda Gerl, Jutta Zimmermann, and Caritas's Gabriele Bastian for their long-term service to the Lernpaten project. Eva-Maria Languth and Waltraud Ehl were recognised for achieving 10 years of service, while the others were honoured for their 5-year commitment.
The Lernpaten project is a local educational initiative designed to provide children with additional learning support through volunteer mentors, known as Lernpaten. These mentors offer personal attention, patience, and reliability to the children, who often come from difficult family or social backgrounds. Many of the children involved in the project struggle with school work, language barriers, or lack support at home.
The commitment of the Lernpaten improves the school chances of the children and prepares them for life. The project has demonstrated several positive outcomes: improved academic performance, increased motivation, social integration, community engagement, and long-term benefits such as fostering soft skills like communication, patience, and problem-solving.
Currently, 44 volunteers are actively involved in the Lernpaten project, which takes place at 23 primary schools in the county of Neuwied. They collectively accompany over 600 children in recent years, strengthening self-confidence, providing orientation, and listening to the children.
Landrat Achim Hallerbach praised the Lernpatinnen and Lernpaten for their commitment in promoting the educational opportunities of children from disadvantaged social backgrounds. Caritas director Eberhard Köhner was also present at the event, which included a tour and a coffee table.
If you wish to join as a volunteer, requirements typically involve being an adult (often 18 years or older) from various backgrounds, a regular time commitment of 1-2 hours per week during the school year, having patience, empathy, and an interest in education, undergoing background checks, and working closely with school teachers, social workers, and parents.
For more detailed information on joining the Lernpaten project, contact the Youth Office with Simone Höhner and Nicole Bauer, who organised this year's event.
The Lernpaten project, through education-and-self-development, aids children's personal-growth by offering additional learning support. The long-term commitment of Lernpaten volunteers leads to improved academic performance, increased motivation, and fostering soft skills like communication, patience, and problem-solving, thereby preparing children for life.
