NEW VOTING ROUND
 FROM 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 TO 12 MARCH 2025

The autumn days are now finally over and it’s time to make room for winter clothing. Do you have any well-preserved clothes that you no longer want to wear? Then we have the perfect solution for you!

Send your clothes to „Platz schaffen mit Herz“ and support a great cause at the same time! By voting for steps for children, you help children in need in our education centre Okakarara.

It’s that easy:

1. Search your wardrobe for clothes that are no longer needed or used.
2. Generate a code at www.platzschaffenmitherz.de
3. Send the packaged clothes FREE OF CHARGE via Hermes to „Platz schaffen mit Herz“
4. Receive the voting code and cast your votes for steps for children – make a difference!

Winter is coming – it’s time for another wardrobe check! Together we can help and at the same time make room for new winter looks. Thank you for your support! ❤️

A total of €50,000 will be awarded to the 100 best-placed projects. Are you in?  The countdown is on – voting runs from 19 September 2024 to 12 March 2025 at 12 noon.

Notes:

• Parcel size: The parcel must weigh between 5 and 25 kg so that transport and environmental impact are kept as low as possible – so don’t leave any empty space when packing!
• Private donations: Wardrobe check: Platz schaffen mit Herz – the project is an offer for donations from private individuals.
• Clothing quality: The clothing is clean and in a wearable condition. Because in order to be able to donate money, Platz schaffen mit Herz sells your clothing on.
• Address: Must be provided so that an individual parcel label can be created. The data will not be stored. The address entered will only appear as the sender on the parcel label.
• Email address: The email address is needed so that we can contact you as soon as the parcel has arrived. You will then receive a personal voting code with which you can vote for steps for children. Please confirm your email address, only then can we contact you.

Here you can find the project description
at Platz schaffen mit Herz and our 2nd voting:

Giving a future through education

Join in here and create the address code:

TAKE PART

Previous votings:

Giving a future through education

Here you can find the project description at Platz schaffen mit Herz
and our first vote.
Thank you for the 9 votes that have brought us far ahead!

#KulturSommer on the Canal – steps for children was able to be there at the opening weekend! Janina Tege and Anton Rathgeb took the time to represent the steps for children foundation at KulturSommer on the Canal in the district of Herzogtum Lauenburg at their stand on the last weekend in June, visitors *inside were able to #Nähartikel from the sewing workshop in Okakarara. Through their commitment and the sale of the lovingly crafted items, valuable donations were raised for the foundation.

A heartfelt thank you to Janina and Anton for their outstanding commitment! We would also like to thank the mayor of Siebeneichen for the wonderful opportunity to present steps for children with an information stand at the festival!  

Would you like to volunteer with steps?

Then get in touch with us at 

„I’ll be celebrating a milestone birthday soon and, instead of gifts, I’d like a donation for steps for children. Can I create my own fundraising campaign with you?“

We have been receiving these and similar questions more often lately. Time and again, people have written to ask where our fundraising function on Facebook and Instagram has gone…the short answer: It no longer exists on Meta’s side. But we can offer you an alternative, which you can also share via your usual channels. The whole thing works without any complicated registration, and you can design the campaign very personally – for example in support of the guardian angel children. Of course, we can also provide you with flyers, posters and other materials so that you can give your guests an informative overview of our activities in Namibia.

>> 8 useful tips for your fundraising campaign <<

For many years, our organisation steps for children has been committed to supporting disadvantaged children in Namibia and Zimbabwe. Through fundraising campaigns such as the birthday fundraising campaigns initiated by you we can finance important projects and give children on the ground a better future.

Your support makes a big difference and we are grateful for every contribution. So if you are planning to celebrate your special day with a fundraising campaign, do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you with the implementation and will be on hand to offer advice and support.

Posts from previous fundraising campaigns:

We are delighted by the growing interest in our fundraising campaigns and the willingness of many people to actively support our cause. Every donation, whether financial or through voluntary work, helps to sustainably improve the lives of children in Namibia and Zimbabwe. With your help, we can support educational projects, ensure daily hot meals and medical care, and offer children a perspective for a better future. We are proud to have such a committed community at our side and appreciate every form of support. Together we can achieve great things and positively change the lives of many children. Thank you for your commitment and solidarity!

If you have any further questions or would like to find out more about our work, do not hesitate to contact us. We are always available to support you and, together with you, make the world a little better for disadvantaged children. Your help is invaluable and we appreciate every one of you who is committed to our mission. Let us continue to work together and ensure that no child in this world is left alone. Thank you very much for your support!

8 useful tips and hints for creating your own fundraising campaign

1. Create a fundraising campaign here: Donation campaign for steps
   It’s best to use a photo of yourselves for this, so that your friends, guests and family members can immediately recognise who initiated the campaign.
2. Personal texts: Write your own texts for campaign title your own donation campaign, the campaign description and formulate your own thank-you message to your guests.
3. At any time, you can change information or entries in your own donation campaign (donation target, duration, messages). If that doesn’t work, please contact us at info@stepsforchildren.de
4. Donors can also donate anonymously in public. Each person decides for themselves how much they would like to donate and whether their name is publicly visible.
5. Note: If donors would like to receive a donation receipt, we require their full address details.
6. Automatic reminder: As the initiators of the donation campaign, you will be automatically reminded when the campaign has reached your self-set donation target or when half of the time you set has already elapsed.
7. Share your campaign by email, WhatsApp, LinkedIn and Facebook – true to the motto: Do good and talk about it.
8. Action report: Following your fundraising campaign, we’ll send you a report on how the donated amount was used, which you can then forward to your guests. 

Do you have any further questions? Then get in touch with us: info@stepsforchildren.de – we’re happy to support you and clarify any final questions together.

START YOUR OWN FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

More from steps for children:

A solid start to the educational journey​

Town & Country Foundation supports the steps for children foundation

In February 2024, as part of the 11th Foundation Award of the Town & Country Foundation, we received a four-digit prize sum. The amount will be used for early childhood and pre-school education invested: fine motor, cognitive and language skills are specifically promoted – as solid foundations for the further educational journey.

The Town & Country Foundation supports work with children and young people. At the same time, it recognises the people who are involved in the projects – many of them on a voluntary basis.

The steps for children foundation operates eight facilities in Namibia for more than 2,000 children and young people, who are taught, fed and supported every day. The foundation is located with social and income-generating measures where they are needed most: in the informal settlements, where people from the poorest backgrounds have to live in makeshift shelters. Here it creates prospects for a better future. This also includes ensuring that the foundation's social activities become less dependent on donations in the long term through its own small businesses, such as the sewing workshop or the guest houses, by generating surpluses.

„On behalf of the children in Namibia and the entire steps team, we would like to express our sincere thanks for this award! It is a special recognition of our work, showing that we are on the right path and that we must work together to create fairer educational opportunities and future prospects“

Dr Michael Hoppe, Chairman of the Board of the steps for children foundation.

Representing the foundation and its Ambassador Dr Arne Einhausen presented Marcus Brunner from Dr Arne Einhausen GmbH & Co.KG in Stelle with the certificate and praised the commitment of the full-time and voluntary staff: 

„“You are committed with so much heart and soul to the weakest of the weak, to the children in some of the poorest regions of the world - who have a much harder time than we can even imagine here in Germany: We are delighted to honour and support this literally trailblazing commitment with the Town & Country Foundation Award!"

About the Town & Country Foundation Award

Since 2013, the Town & Country Foundation Award has been promoting social commitment throughout Germany for socially, mentally and physically disadvantaged children and young people. This year’s 11th Foundation Award is dedicated to togetherness and focuses on the funding priority „TOGETHER - feeling, talking, shaping.“ The focus is on projects that promote communication, empathy and community, or train mindfulness. Supported are educational institutions, clubs and others that are committed to equal opportunities regardless of origin, gender, social or religious background - thereby opening up better prospects for young people.

The 11th Foundation Award will be presented in stages: In the first round, 300 non-profit organisations and projects will each receive funding of 1,111 euros. In the second stage, an independent jury will select one particularly deserving project per federal state from these 300 prize winners. These 16 regional winners will be announced, honoured and awarded an additional 5,000 euros each at a gala ceremony on 21 June 2024 in Erfurt.

About the Town & Country Foundation

The Town & Country Foundation, based in Erfurt, was founded in 2009 by Gabriele and Jürgen Dawo to help builders and their families who have fallen into hardship through no fault of their own. Soon, the foundation's purpose was expanded to include supporting disadvantaged children and young people. The work of the Town & Country Foundation is made possible by the Town & Country franchise system and other supporters as well as voluntary donations.

You can find further information about the Town & Country Foundation at www.tc-stiftung.de

More articles on steps aktuell:

About us

Since 2005, steps for children has been committed to Namibia to enabling children from informal settlements who lack means to receive education and nutrition. What began as a preschool group for 30 children has now grown to more than 2,000 children and young people who are cared for, fed, and supported in eight educational facilities at six locations by 71 employees. In addition to educational work, we establish small businesses, create jobs, and train our staff. The profits generated flow back into our facilities and finance activities on site. Our long-term goal is to become less dependent on donations. This commitment is already supported by a large number of German and Swiss companies, foundations, private donors, and schools. Together with this strong and growing network, we create opportunities and take responsibility.

The main responsibilities

• Support and maintenance of relationships with companies and major donors
• Expansion of fundraising overall
• Supporting the Executive Board in looking after key donors and other topics
• Implementation and further development of the fundraising strategy including the planned measures
• Participation in events as a representative of the foundation

Your profile

• Completed studies in the relevant field or commercial training with at least three years of professional experience
• Convincing appearance and sociability
• Several years of experience in fundraising as well as in the work of a non-profit organization
• Fluent spoken and written German and English
• Creativity, organisational skills and the ability to communicate and work in a team

Our offer

• You carry out an activity with a high level of social responsibility. You are involved in the further development of the foundation with its exciting projects.
• You will work part-time for an unlimited period (50 - 75%) at the work location in Hamburg. Partial home office is possible
• A small, agile and collegial team
• Flat hierarchies and fast decision-making processes
• After training, involvement in the activities of the management and the board possible
• Meaningful work with teams from the international projects
• Flexible working hours
• A fair salary at NGO level

 We look forward to receiving your application soon!

Please send your documents (cover letter, CV, references or recommendation letters) stating your possible start date in a single PDF file (max. 10 MB) to michael.hoppe@stepsforchildren.de

About us:

Since 2005, steps for children in Namibia has been committed to providing education and nutrition to destitute children from the informal settlements. What began with a preschool group for 30 children has now grown to over 2,000 children and young people who are cared for, fed and supported by 71 employees in eight educational centres at six locations. In addition to our educational work, we also set up small businesses, create jobs and train our employees. The surpluses generated are channelled to our facilities and finance local activities. Our long-term goal is to become less dependent on donations. This commitment is already supported by a large number of German and Swiss companies, foundations, private donors and schools. Together with this strong and growing network, we create opportunities and take responsibility. 

The main tasks:

• Support and maintenance of relationships with companies and major donors
• The expansion of fundraising as a whole
• Supporting the Executive Board in looking after key donors and other topics
• Implementation and further development of the fundraising strategy including the planned measures
• Participation in events as a representative of the foundation

Your profile

• Completed studies in the relevant field or commercial training with at least three years of professional experience
• Convincing appearance and sociability
• Experience in fundraising and in the work of a non-profit organisation
• Fluent spoken and written German and English
• Creativity, organisational skills and the ability to communicate and work in a team

Our offer

• You carry out an activity with a high level of social responsibility. You are involved in the further development of the foundation with its exciting projects.
• You will work part-time for an unlimited period (50 - 75%) at the work location in Hamburg. Partial home office is possible
• A small, agile and collegial team
• Flat hierarchies and fast decision-making processes
• Meaningful work with teams from the international projects
• Flexible working hours
• A fair salary at NGO level

We look forward to receiving your application

Please send your documents (letter of motivation, CV, references or letters of recommendation) stating your possible start date in one coherent PDF file (max. 10 MB) to michael.hoppe@stepsforchildren.de

We look forward to receiving applications as soon as possible.

If you would like to receive information in advance by telephone and let us know by e-mail, the founder of the foundation, Michael Hoppe, will be happy to call you. (but absent from 9.11.12023 until 28.11.2023)

Register now!

This year's members' meeting of the steps for children support association e.V. will take place at the end of October and will once again be open to all interested parties who are not members of the support association.  In addition to a presentation of developments in the steps facilities on site in Namibia, there will be further programme items – stay tuned!

Hybrid event incl. members' meeting
steps for children support association e.V.
on 25/10/23
at 6.00 pm
at the Rudolf Steiner House in Hamburg

Hybrid and in person

As last year, this will also take place in hybrid form. The Link we will provide at the end of this post for you to download. Only those members who attend in person are entitled to vote.

We ask you to register bindingly

Please register bindingly, indicating whether you will attend in person or online, by 22 October 2023 by email: info@stepsforchildren.de, telephone: 040-389 027 88 or by post: Stiftung steps for children, Büro Hamburg, Bramfelder Straße 77, 22305 Hamburg.

Please note: Registration for the general meeting also constitutes consent for photo or video recordings made in the context of reporting by steps for children to be used for communication purposes (e.g. website, newsletter, social media of steps for children).

A varied programme

With a varied programme, we will shape the evening: after the official part of the general meeting, there will be a presentation on the situation in Namibia and – just three days back from the project trip, Michael Hoppe will give an overview of the work on site. This will be followed by exciting insights from project managers – live from Namibia, reporting on progress and challenges at the Ongombombonde and Gobabis sites, as well as further impressions from a volunteer and a traveller to Namibia. Variety in abundance!

Members may submit additions to the agenda by 23/10/2023. The agenda items can be found below.

We look forward to an inspiring evening and kindly ask for your many attendance.

With kind regards

Michael Hoppe (Chair of the association), 
Mechtild Wigger (Treasurer),
Brigitta Joost (Board member)

Agenda for the general meeting

Wednesday, 25 October, from 6.00 pm, at the Rudolf-Steiner-Haus, Great Hall, Mittelweg 11-12, 20148 Hamburg.

Opening and welcome by the chair of the board

1. Appointment of the minute-taker
2. Establishment that the general meeting was convened in due form and within the deadline and that it has quorum
3. Adoption of the agenda
4. Approval of the minutes of the general meeting of 29/11/2022
5. Board's annual report for 2022
6. Treasurer’s report and auditors’ report for 2022
7. Discharge of the Executive Board
8. Miscellaneous

Programme for the evening

18.00 hrs admission – networking and refreshments at the buffet
18.15 hrs general meeting
18.30 hrs reports on the current situation in Namibia
18.50 hrs live reports from our locations by project managers
19.20 hrs further contributions from Namibia
19.45 hrs closing remarks
20.00 hrs end and opportunity for further exchange. 

REGISTER

REGISTRATION ATTENDANCE

We kindly request binding registration for the event, stating in which form (online or in person) attendance will take place. Thank you very much. 

ONLINE ATTENDANCE

Here is the Zoom link for online attendance. 

Michael Hoppe, founder and chairman of the board of the steps for children foundation, celebrates his 75th birthday on October 2! It is an opportunity to honor his extraordinary contributions to the well-being of children and families and to congratulate him from the heart.

On his life’s journey so far, he has already achieved a great deal and, together with his support team, enabled education for many people from the poorest backgrounds and created jobs. For 18 years now, he has been actively committed every day to children and young people in Namibia. And now also in Zimbabwe. 

A role model for us all 

In addition to his remarkable work as a philanthropist, Dr. Hoppe has always inspired us through his commitment, humility, and determination. He is an example of how one person with a big heart and a clear goal can positively influence the world. 

A fulfilling life 

At the age of 75, Dr Michael Hoppe he can look back on a fulfilling life in which he has helped so many children. But we know that his work is far from over. His tireless dedication and passion for the cause will continue to drive us forward to implement the vision of steps for children.

Congratulations! 

On the occasion of your 75th birthday, Michael, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks. Your commitment and vision have improved the lives of countless children and will continue to do so in the future. We are proud to be part of your team. May this special day be full of love, joy, and gratitude. We look forward to many more years of working together and supporting children. 

With warm regards, 

The team of the steps for children foundation

If you are still looking for a gift, he would be delighted by a contribution toward a self-determined future for the steps children!
Gift donation

ALAFIA: steps is back again!

 On 27 August 2023 it’s that time again – the ALAFIA African Festival is taking place in Hamburg for the 21st time. This time, however, not as usual on Große Bergstraße in the middle of Altona, but at Afrotopia. Unfortunately, the city of Hamburg has raised the prices so much that the organiser can no longer afford it – the fees have become too high. Come along!

21st African Festival Hamburg, Alafia 2023
Sunday, 27 August 2023, all day
Afrotopia, culture & innovation
Biedermannplatz 19
22083 Hamburg