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in this reflective season, we would like to make the children’s eyes in our education centres light up – just like Anita’s eyes when she talks radiantly about her dreams for the future. We support her with her plans and accompany her on her educational journey as a Schutzengelkind.
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Exclusively, our four volunteers – Isabell, Paula, Antonia and Lina – report from Okakarara: with energy in art classes, everyday life with the children and their own fundraising campaign. More insights and opportunities to get involved in the articles – let yourselves be inspired! We also look back on the general meeting, which, with vivid reports from Namibia, was a lovely start to Advent.
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We hope you enjoy reading and have a cosy 3rd Advent Sunday.
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Schutzengel child Anita wants to become a doctor-
here she talks about her wish
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Anita is 11 years old and in 5th grade. She has a big dream: one day she wants to become a paediatrician, to help people who are ill and to give something good back. After school, Anita attends the after-school care programme at steps. There she gets support with learning, is encouraged to discover new things, and feels every day that she is not alone. The carers help her with her homework and explain difficult tasks.
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For Anita, this time means more than tutoring. It is a place where she is allowed to grow, where she is seen, and where she finds the courage to believe in her dream. When she talks about why she wants to become a doctor, her eyes light up.
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She wants to help other children get healthy, just as she herself is being helped to stay strong. Her journey shows what can happen when support, trust and education come together.
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Now at Christmas, give the gift of care and a future.
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Every donation helps to comprehensively accompany Anita’s educational journey and that of the other 231 Schutzengel children and young people.
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Support one Schutzengel child for 1 month with €31:
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And the Schutzengel programme works:
Certificates for good performance are regularly achieved
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At steps, we support children from the informal settlements from the very beginning: as early as nursery they come to us, receive loving care and learning stimulation, then go on to our kindergartens and pre-schools, and from the start of school they are continuously accompanied on their educational journey as a Schutzengel child. And this is successful - because a former Schutzengel child has, through the steps students programme, in which students and trainees are supported, completed her bachelor’s degree this year.
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The Schutzengel children and young people are proving themselves in everyday school life: compared with other pupils, their grades are usually better than the class average. This year, once again, a number of awards for outstanding performance were achieved!
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Preschool child Subes from Otavi is proud of having completed the year - the excitement for school is starting now!
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This year, Schutzengel youth Hashimbuli in Okakarara passed Grade 10 with distinction!
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Former Schutzengel child Clenda has now earned her Bachelor’s degree!
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We would like to give our preschool children like Subes a Christmas gift so that they can get off to a good start at school. They receive a starter pack for 1st grade with: Coloured pencils, erasers, ruler, pencil sharpener, pencils.
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In total, we need 245 packs.
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An evening together with steps
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More than 60 committed people came together at the members’ meeting of the support association Steps for Children e.V.: Open conversations, vivid reports from Namibia by the ambassadors’ couple Sabine and Dr. Hans-Christian Schröder, the former volunteers Emilie, Hanna and Amandus, as well as a film from the agricultural project, deeply moved everyone. With thanks to all those involved and a look ahead to the 20-year anniversary in 2026 – here we look back on the event:
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Added value at steps - getting to know and experience the impact on site!
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What makes the real added value at steps for children? You can get to know us on site, visit us, stay overnight with us or volunteer with us for a longer period. In the testimonials, our volunteers from Okakarara рассказывают about their varied work at steps for children and young people. In addition, the Proescher family from Hamburg reports on their social holiday with steps in Gobabis.
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Social holiday in Namibia - the Proescher family shares their experiences
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„Teacher, teacher!“ Fingers shoot up, but no one just calls out the answer into the room; everyone waits patiently until it’s their turn. The four of us (Constantin and Culla, Joshua, 15, and Camilla, 12) are actually not teachers. But during our one-week social holiday in Gobabis in August 2025, all four of us were a little bit teachers.
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Between adventure and everyday life: Lina, 18 years old from Hamburg, spends three months in Okakarara, Namibia. She discovers not only the country and its people, but also how fulfilling it is to bring a smile to children’s faces – whether while learning, playing, or during the popular Cookie-Time. Her experiences show how volunteering broadens horizons and connects hearts.
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Paula dives right into life in Okakarara: her second FSJ with steps for children in Namibia is full of creativity, children’s laughter and cultural discoveries – from art lessons and sports with the little ones to heartwarming encounters. She talks about challenges, surprises such as cow price questions, and her growing love for this place.
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Isabell has been living and working as a volunteer at steps for children in Okakarara, Namibia, for several months. She рассказывает about her everyday life in our education centre, about challenges, moving moments and the children who have since grown close to her heart.
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Antonia is currently volunteering in Okakarara, Namibia, and supporting steps for children. In her report, she describes what her daily life on site looks like, what tasks she takes on, and what particularly touches her about working with the children and young people.
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Are you convinced by steps? Then send our newsletter to friends and acquaintances who should definitely get to know steps. Thank you very much!
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The steps for children foundation was established in Hamburg in 2005 by Dr Michael Hoppe. It is now active in eight locations in Namibia and Zimbabwe, where it is committed to improving educational opportunities for girls and boys from poor neighbourhoods. Over 2,000 children can take part in education and have a warm meal every day at steps and its partner projects.
We would also like to point out that in order to save personnel and resources, which we would like to use in Namibia, we will issue and send you the donation receipts in the first quarter of the following year. For donations of up to EUR 300.00, the corresponding bank statement can also be submitted to the tax office as simplified proof of donation. If a donation receipt is required earlier, please send an enquiry to info@stepsforchildren.de send.
With best regards
Michael Hoppe
(Chairman of the Management Board)
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Donation account:
Hamburg Savings Bank
IBAN: DE44 2005 0550 1238 1497 26 BIC: HASPDEHHXXX
PayPal: paypal@stepsforchildren.de or at www.stepsforchildren.de
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steps for children foundation
Bramfelder Str. 77 in 22305 Hamburg
T +49 (0) 40 389 027 - 88
info@stepsforchildren.de
www.stepsforchildren.de
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Editor: Marie Schnaidt
Responsible for the content: Dr Michael Hoppe
Photos: © steps for children, unless otherwise noted
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