„No child in Paternoster should ever be without a dream“ is the motto of the small committee of South Africans with the name „Paternoster´s People Partnership“. They volunteer their time to support the roughly 200 school children in this small fishing village, which is cut off from the outside world on the north west coast of South Africa. Our foundation has set itself the task, together with the committee, to help the children to realize their dreams. Why? We want to give children a future and offer them opportunities to develop outside of Europe as well – to establish a sustainable basis which will enable them to stay where they were born, in their home.
Together with the „Paternoster´s People Partnership“ committee and the fishery which is the largest local employer, we are setting up the „Paternoster Volunteer Project“. Our foundation and the University of Education in Weingarten will specifically select students of education and sports with a good pedagogical background as volunteers for this program. In the mornings they will support the teachers at St. Augustine´s Primary School in their lessons, and in the afternoons they will supervise and help the children with their homework and provide a meaningful afternoon program for the 6 to 13 year olds.
„What the world of tomorrow will be like is greatly dependent on the power of imagination of those who are learning to read today“ (Astrid Lindgren). The focus of our educational program in Paternoster will therefore be on reading, and for this we need donations to buy book shelves and appropriate literature.
There is also no government-funded sports or music education. The foundation is working on a concept – to be implemented by the teachers and volunteers – which will include these activities, as they have a great influence on the development of children. We therefore require further donations to be able to buy basic sports equipment and musical instruments.
Our foundation is funding the establishment of the volunteer program and sending the volunteers to South Africa. We need financial support in order to buy books, shelves, sports and musical equipment, arts and crafts materials as well as a large dining table and chairs. Please help, so that every child in Paternoster can not only have a dream, but also realize their dreams.