The project "Corporación Educativa y Social Waldorf" was founded in 1997 by Helmut von Loebell, a German-Colombian business man. His goal was to get street children of a shanty town near Bogotá off the street and protect them from malnutrition, physical and sexual abuse. Currently, around 250 children aged 3 to 16 and their families are being taken care of.

Since 2008, the project is nationally recognized. However, the financial support is low and the majority of the financial needs of approximately 300 thousand EUR is covered by donations and sponsors.

The children get a healthy diet, medical care and holistic education based on the educational philosophy of Waldorf. They also learn craft activities (knitting, painting, pottery, stone-work) and depending on personal skills are taught subjects such as music, dance and theater, among others. Vocational training for youths is organized in collaboration with local industry and some of them, who have found a job after training, participate today as volunteers in the project.

Another important area is the support and guidance of families - mostly single mothers. The program ranges from adult education to workshops on social behavior, health care, healthy eating, among other things. With this part of the social work also the situation of families and their coexistence improved. The CES Waldorf is run very well, the children are lovingly cared for and their families closely involved. The teachers and coaches are very dedicated and so the CES Waldorf seems to be a small paradise in it's dreary environment.

The representative chairman of Primavera - Mr. Helmut Schwarz - paid a visit to this project early in 2013. Read more about their experiences in Colombia.

The social project Don Bosco is located in a poor area of the industrial city of Cali, with 1.5 million inhabitants. Founded in 2008 by priests of the Order of the Salesians, it includes a large vocational training center, currently serving more than 3,000 young people of difficult social background.

The children and young people shall be protected from crime, drug trafficking and prostitution, which, unfortunately, are present 24/7 in their immediate environment. In contrast, Don Bosco aims at education for positive social behavior with respect for fellow human beings and the environment. With these fundamentals and a profound education, the children have a chance for a self-determed, good life. Many companies in the region have already taken over apprentices of Don Bosco and the cooperations shall be extended in the future, supported by Primavera.

Primavera is sponsoring this project, for example through the funding of further education courses for young people in automotive engineering, electrical, heating and air conditioning technology and precision engineering. Many people from different areas of the Bosch group also support the courses by providing their personal experience and expertise.

The first course in heating and air conditioning systems will begin in early June. In September, a second course is to follow in electrical engineering. We are looking forward to the first feedback from instructors and participants!