“L EON IS NOW ON THE BALL”
The mentors of the “educational coaching” project assisted 18 children at GGS
Innenstadt elementary school in Wesel and the Klausenhof Academy in
2018. They are convinced that “all children have potential.” ALTANA has supported
the educational project, which aims to give children more equal
opportunity, for more than four years.
The time had come. After six months of listening, accompaniment,
and cautious approaches Leon* finally let the mentor touch
his hand. “It was a great moment for both of us,” says Marianne
Podszun. Because now it was clear that the necessary trust had
been built. This takes a long time and requires a great deal of care
and attention. Marianne Podszun is one of 18 volunteer mentors
who are taking part in the “educational coaching” project at
GGS Innenstadt elementary school in Wesel. The mentors are
currently supporting the development of 18 children, starting in
second grade, through so-called educational coaching. The children,
who come from socially deprived backgrounds, are pro-
moted and challenged in keeping with their interests and abilities.
Mentors Encourage and Challenge the Children
Eleven-year-old Leon is one of them. Shy and looking down, he
stood in front of Marianne Podszun for the first time three
* The name is changed.
Mentors from the educational coaching project
at GGS Innenstadt elementary school in Wesel
talking about the children‘s development and
during afternoon activities with them. Play
is also important. Here a game of foosball.
44 Creating Added Value at ALTANA