35 years Primavera

The year was 1990. Marianne Waas-Frey, then Bosch Zünder editor, traveled to the Brazilian Bosch locations for a report. She was actually supposed to report on Bosch's local business. But she couldn't ignore the misery of the children in the slums of the Brazilian city of Campinas.

It shocked her and didn't let her go even after she returned. Her daughter Eva-Maria Waas remembers: "When my mother came back home after her three-week trip across Brazil, there was only one topic left: 'Eva child, we have to do something.' She talked about the huge favelas, about the helpless mothers with their children and the unbelievable poverty on the outskirts of the big cities. But also about Bosch employees who had started helping with small projects on site. "They urgently need our support." She also reported her impressions to her colleagues and inspired them about her project. The idea of ​​a fundraising initiative soon arose. It was the birth of Primavera. The first projects in Brazil, India and Mexico were supported as early as mid-1991. Other countries should follow.

Since then, Primavera aid has benefited many thousands of young people, mainly in Asia, South America, South Africa and, since 2013, in Eastern Europe. Children and young people are primarily supported in school up to their high school diploma and university degree. Projects for vocational training for young adults are also included. Not to forget the help for facilities for the disabled, medical care facilities or projects for street children. In addition to a wide range of educational opportunities, the children and their families also receive information about hygiene, healthy eating, social behavior and responsible interaction with one another. All of this with the aim of giving them the chance to later find their place in society and lead a self-determined and responsible life. The basic requirement for supporting projects is that all of Primavera's collaborations with local social partners are supported and advanced and that all projects are located near Bosch locations and are supported and monitored there by voluntary Bosch employees. All those involved – from the board of directors to the many helpers and other supporters – work on a voluntary basis. This means: One hundred percent of all donations go to the projects.

“Isn’t it great what has become of my little idea?” Marianne Waas-Frey once rightly asked. Primavera emerged from a simple fundraising initiative. An association of around 1,650 active and former Bosch employees that supports around 11,000 children and young people in 20 countries and gives them opportunities for a good future. To date, Primavera has collected around 14.8 million euros in donations and income.

A big thank you to all the countless donors and helpers who made Primavera possible and supported it for 35 years and hopefully will continue to support it!