Seminars for DfA sponsored children on personal and future development

DfA sponsored children are half-orphans and orphans who are supported in their schooling and vocational training by German sponsors or Dentists for Africa. The lack of a family, the trauma they often experienced in early childhood and the absence of personal caregivers result in considerable deficits for the children's development.  The seminars are designed to help the children and young people develop their personalities, formulate goals, make decisions, receive psychological counselling and career advice and form networks with others. The project manager of the DfA sponsorship project, Sr Seraphine, plans 5 seminars per year for the different age groups and their needs. This involves staff and alumni of the DfA sponsorship project, a psychological consultant, members of the widows' cooperative and external facilitators/trainers. The seminars are planned for 2 full days with 3 overnight stays and catering for the participants and speakers. Transport costs to the venues, material and room costs as well as costs for external speakers are to be financed. DfA has been organizing these seminars for a number of years and has always received positive feedback from participants, who in turn now repeatedly request these seminars. ‘Now I know which professions are suitable for me and which are not,’ said a 17-year-old after the last seminar for school leavers in January 2025.