Petra Schorr and I have donated 2018/2019 to the children and youth welfare organisation ARCHE (German for “Ark”) in Berlin-Hellersdorf. This is the largest single private donation for the initiative, which has been running since 1995.
The ARCHE helps children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds with recreational activities, including dance projects, theatre courses, guitar lessons, computer courses, cooking school, bicycle repair shop up to football, basketball or table tennis training as well as with the daily supply of healthy food: For the children the daily time in the ARCHE begins with a free hot lunch. In some of the now more than 20 houses, there is an alternative to a warm meal in the evening. And where the ARCHE is directly involved in early childhood care at schools, the children also receive a daily breakfast.
I support the work of the ARCHE, because it is the first time that children consciously experience the consequences of social inequality in their early school years. Whoever starts here and gives children urgently needed attention, gives young people a perspective.