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Svenja Lais supported steps for children in Gobabis from 10.08. to 09.10.2015, in particular the preschool of the partner project Light for the Children. In her own words, she experienced a “very enriching and rewarding time”. Below, Svenja reports on a few experiences at steps: 
“The first three weeks of my stay were still school holidays. During this time, I organised the holiday programme together with another volunteer at first; later, there were four of us, along with Santiago, a teacher. We offered various play and craft activities, bringing light to many children’s eyes. We were able to share the children’s joy when they proudly held their finished creations in their hands and showed them to us. It was indescribable to see and feel such gratitude and joy in the children. 

School started again on 1 September. The first week after the holidays was all about settling in at the preschool and getting to know the teachers, getting an idea of the procedures and observing the individual classes. We, a total of four volunteers, got together beforehand and considered how we could best and most effectively support the teachers. In consultation with the teachers, we finally decided to give the children special support in small groups. We developed a kind of timetable for ourselves so that there were always two of us in a group of usually five children. After each lesson, the groups changed and so did the age group. In this way, the children of all grades received separate and targeted support outside of the classroom. The children in the individual groups changed on a weekly basis.

After the individual group sessions, we helped in the kitchen serving the food. We filled the plates and then handed them out to the children. Then it was lunchtime for us too, before the ‘afternoon class’ continued at 13:00. Lisa, another volunteer, and I looked after the third-graders together. As a rule, between 16 and 20 students were present. They then practised English or maths for an hour, with moderate enthusiasm. Afterwards, we collected the plates they had brought with them and filled them with lunch in the kitchen. Once all the children had received their meal, the leftover food was distributed, the kitchen was cleaned, and at around 14:30 we set off home.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the teachers’ request, Barbara, another volunteer, and I initiated a ‘teacher workshop’. This took place every other Thursday after the ‘afternoon class’ for approximately one and a half hours. The workshop topics included ‘Visual perception in children and how it can be promoted’ (developing and presenting various worksheets), ‘Games for Kids’ (e.g. cooperation or concentration games), and ‘Teaching materials made by hand’ (e.g. puzzles, sound memory, or magnetic fishing). It was important to us that the teachers actively participated in the workshops and tried out the work materials and games themselves. Learning from one another was very important to us and was always the focus. Barbara will now continue the ‘teacher workshop’ together with Gerald, the director of the preschool.

In addition to working at the preschool, I was also able to accompany Mr. Bartman to the steps homes several times. We visited the families who, in addition to their own children, had taken in two to four orphans and were receiving financial support from steps for children. The families live in the residential area behind the school, which consists exclusively of corrugated-metal shacks. When you see how sparsely these families live and in how little space, you become truly aware of how well we have it in Germany and what kind of luxury we actually live in here…

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to get to know the project on site and to actively support it there. It was a wonderful time and perhaps one day my journey will take me back to Gobabis to the children and teachers…”

steps says thank you for your dedicated work, Svenja!

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Svenja Lais has from 10:08. to 10.09.2015 steps for children supported in Gobabis, in particular, the school for the partner project Light for the Children. She has „spent very enriching and rewarding period“ means in his own words. Following reports Svenja a few experiences in steps: 
„The first three weeks of my stay were still school holidays. In that time I have designed together with first another volunteer, later we were to fourth, and Santiago, a teacher the holiday program. We have different games and craft activities offered and thereby brought many children’s eyes light up. One could rejoice with the children when they proudly held their finished products in the hands and presented us. It was indescribable, 

On September 1, the school started again. The first week after the holidays, it was necessary first of all to arrive at the pre-school and the teachers meet you, to get a picture of the processes and to sit in on the individual classes. We, four volunteers, assembled us in advance and considered how we can support the teacher on the best and most effective. In consultation with the teachers we finally decided in small groups to encourage the children especially. We developed for us a kind of timetable, so we always had a second set of generally five children. After each lesson, the groups and thus also the age group alternated. In this way, the children of all grades received a separate and targeted funding outside the class action.

According to the individual groups, we helped in the kitchen at the food counter. We filled the plates and shared this after the children. After that was then for us lunch before the, afternoon class‘ went on to 13h. Lisa, another volunteer, and I managed together the third graders. Usually 16 to 20 students were present. So they practiced then an hour English or math with moderate commitment. Then we collected a which brought plates and loaded it on in the kitchen with the lunch. After all children had received their meal, the remaining food was still distributed, made the kitchen clean and to 14.30 we were on our way home.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the request of teachers Barbara, another volunteer, and I initiated a, teacher workshop ‚. This took place every second Thursday after, afternoon class‘ for about one and a half hours instead. Content of the workshops focused on, Visual perception in children and how to promote this‘ (preparation and presentation of different worksheets), Games for Kids‘ (eg cooperation or concentration games) and educational material itself is made ‚(eg puzzle, noise memory or Magnet Angel). It was our wish that the teachers were actively involved in the workshops and tried out the work material or the games themselves. The mutual learning from each other was very important to us and was always in focus. The, teacher workshop ‚will be of Barbara together with Gerald, the director of the preschool,

In addition to working at the preschool, I was allowed to accompany Mr. Bartman to the steps homes a few times. We visited families who had taken in two to four orphans in addition to their own children and who receive financial support from steps for children. The families live in the residential neighborhood behind the school, which consists exclusively of tin huts. When you see how sparsely and in how little space these families live, you really realize how well off we are in Germany and what kind of luxury we actually live in here …

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to gain insights into the project site and to get actively involved there. It was a wonderful time, and perhaps I will travel back to Gobabis one day to see the children and teachers … „

                                                                                  steps says thank you for your dedicated work, Svenja!

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