The venture initiated by The Foundation to launch schools is providing educational assistance to approximately 2,300 children residing in Dortmund.
In the heart of Germany, the Help and Hope Foundation is making a significant difference in the lives of disadvantaged school children in Dortmund. The foundation's School Starter Action is an initiative designed to provide financial assistance and support to low-income school children as they prepare for the new school year.
The primary goal of this action is to ensure education is not hindered by financial burdens. By supplying essential school materials and resources, the foundation aims to ease the economic strain on families and promote equal educational opportunities.
The School Starter Action involves the collection and distribution of school supplies and financial aid. This year, the program has assisted over 2,300 Dortmund school starters from low-income families, providing them with School Starter packages containing items such as a lunch box, water bottle, paint set, pens, brushes, glue, and scissors.
Schools registered their needs for the action in the spring, and the School Starter packages are being distributed directly to selected families via the schools. The feedback from the schools indicates that the help is received and makes a noticeable difference.
Sandra Heller, Chairwoman of the Foundation, emphasises that participation is a basic right and that they cannot eliminate child poverty, but can do something to counteract its consequences. She believes the action gives children a boost of self-confidence.
The action reaches children at locations with particular support needs, as shown by the school social index. This year, the action provided School Starter packages to 46 primary and special schools.
The project is funded by committed partners, including the retailer TEDi and the Commerzbank Foundation (donation of 5,000 euros). Two classes from the "School am Hafen" helped pack the total of 2,342 bags.
For many families, enrollment is a significant financial burden, requiring several hundred euros for school supplies. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the percentage of children and young people at risk of poverty is significantly higher at 23.3 percent. Affected children often start school with less, materially and emotionally, due to the financial strain.
In 2024, 15.5 percent of the population nationwide was at risk of poverty, according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office. The Help and Hope Foundation's School Starter Action is a testament to the power of community-driven efforts to support needy students during the transition into a new school term, fostering educational inclusion and social support.
If you seek precise information about the Help and Hope Foundation’s School Starter Action in Dortmund, including how to donate or receive assistance, I recommend checking the foundation's official communications or local social service announcements for up-to-date details.
The Help and Hope Foundation's School Starter Action extends beyond education-and-self-development, also addressing social lifestyle concerns by alleviating financial burdens for disadvantaged children in Dortmund. By providing School Starter packages with essential supplies, the foundation aims to foster general-news stories of success and inclusion in school.
