Exploring the cityscape - holidaying without the baggage of luggage
In the vibrant city of Wuppertal, Diakonie, a Christian social organization, is making a significant impact on the lives of children from various social backgrounds. Their summer vacation program, a part of preventive and supplementary family support, offers city recreation for six weeks, providing a safe and engaging environment for over 180 children and young people between eight and 17 years old.
The program brings together children who would otherwise rarely meet, bridging gaps between different social classes. This year, Flora and Olivia, two friends aged 10, are participating in the vacation offer for the third time. For Olivia, the highlights of the summer include activities that allow her to "fly," while Flora enjoys the zoo visit and the book club about the redbreast.
Social worker Carsten Martling, who has been organizing the vacation program and leisure activities for 25 years, emphasizes the importance of the program in strengthening children's self-confidence, creativity, and team spirit. Ahmad, an 8-year-old living in a group home, considers the city recreation to be like his idea of vacation. He dreams of flying to Paris or Portugal to see his favorite footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The increasing demand for Diakonie's vacation program and leisure activities is a reflection of the growing need for vacation care due to working parents and families who cannot afford a vacation. In fact, over 20% of people in Germany cannot afford a week's vacation, with single parents (38%) and families with three or more children (29%) being particularly affected.
The program's success extends beyond the summer months. Providing "good and happy holidays" is an investment in the future, as some children from difficult families who participated in the program now work as volunteers in the city recreation. This not only ensures the continuity of the program but also fosters a sense of community and responsibility among the participants.
For more specific details about Diakonie Wuppertal's vacation program, it would be best to contact them directly or visit their official website. The program's positive impact on social integration and personal development is a testament to the power of community engagement and support in shaping the lives of young people.
The Diakonie Wuppertal vacation program, extending beyond the summer months, offers continuous engagement and fosters a sense of community among participants, promoting their personal development and social integration. This holistic approach, encompassing city recreation, home-and-garden, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, is an investment in shaping the future of young people, instilling self-confidence, creativity, and team spirit.
