Finding + supporting mentors for pupils in Berlin

Dear donors,

the past winter months have once again been a particularly lively and touching time for our mentoring project – and much of it would not have been possible without your support. For this, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

At the end of the year, we celebrated our yearly and wonderful Christmas gathering in the courtyard. Many mentor–mentee tandems as well as families from our PaSch project came and spent a cozy afternoon together. There was a colorful children’s program, music, warm punch, and a fire bowl around which people gathered again and again. While the children were busy crafting, there was lots of laughter, conversation, and time to connect. It was a warm and joyful atmosphere where both new and long-standing tandems could meet and spend time together.

A particularly lovely tradition is our Christmas gift bags. As every year, PaSch prepared small gift bags for all tandems, filled with thoughtful little presents and useful surprises. The joy was clearly visible among both children and adults. Financial and in-kind donations play a very concrete role here as well, helping us to fill these bags in a meaningful and thoughtful way and bring special joy to the families.

Shortly before Christmas, we were also able to match two new tandems. Further introductory meetings followed in January and February with mentors who had participated in our preparation workshop in November. Every new mentoring relationship begins with a sense of careful curiosity – and often develops into something truly special.

At her first meeting at PaSch, one mentor told her mentee about her dog and showed some photos. The child loves dogs and was immediately fascinated. After the meeting, the child drew pictures for her new mentor – and of course the dog appeared in them as well. Since the two now meet regularly, the dog is almost always part of their time together. For all three of them, he has become a natural part of their shared activities. Moments like these show how quickly trust and connection can grow.

In January, we also held a exchange meeting for our mentors at a café in the neighborhood. Thanks to donations, we were able to invite everyone for a soup and a drink to say thank you for all the time and effort they spend. Nine mentors joined – some have only met their mentee a few times so far, while others have been part of the program for four years.

The conversation was open and thoughtful. Many mentors shared how much they think about their mentees: Why do some children already dislike school in primary school? Why is reading sometimes such a challenge? And what difference can I really make as a mentor?

Sometimes mentors find it difficult to recognize how valuable their role truly is. Yet having a reliable and trusted adult who listens, explains, gives their time, and builds trust is incredibly important for children. Especially when schools are overstretched and families are facing financial challenges, a mentor can be an important anchor – someone who encourages a child to recognize their own strengths.

Children rarely express this in words. But their gratitude can be seen in their eyes, in their smiles, and in the excitement they feel about their meetings. At the same time, many mentors share that they themselves learn a great deal – about different life realities and often about themselves as well.

At the beginning of this year, we were once again able to welcome new committed people to the project. During our most recent preparation workshop, three new mentors prepared intensively for their role. The atmosphere was open and motivating, and all three already have introductory meetings scheduled with their future mentees – some even planned through May. There is a great sense of anticipation, and of course a little excitement as well.

In the coming months, several exciting activities are also planned for our mentees. Next week, during the Easter holidays, a workshop will take place where the children can spend two days being creative together with theater educators. In a theater very close to PaSch, they will have the opportunity to try dancing, acting, or singing and bring their own ideas and themes onto the stage – with lots of fun and space to experiment. We will accompany the mentees and possibly also a few future mentees.

Another special experience is already on the horizon: we have been invited to visit the German Bundestag in April. There, the children will have the opportunity to ask questions and talk about what it is like for them to grow up in Wedding and what issues matter to them.

All of these encounters, mentoring relationships, and experiences are made possible through your support. Your donations create spaces for trust, time together, and new perspectives for children and families.

For this, we thank you very warmly – because your support truly makes a difference.

We wish everyone a happy Easter holiday.

Your PaSch Team