They help Augsburg students reading – and are urgently needed

On Mondays at 8.45 a.m., the eleven -year -old is Engiell and his friend Marwan Hellwach. Barbara and Gerhard Kugelmann pick up the two boys in the fourth grade of the Göggingen-West primary school in order to be read to them. The two speak quietly, but it cope with the story of a few children who hide their new hairstyles under a baseball cap. « It must be bad hairstyles, » says Barbara Kugelmann. She is happy about the grin of the two fourth graders and that Marwan can explain the verb « flunker » to her. « It’s like an excuse, » he says. The Kugelmanns, 66 and 69 years old, have been a special team with the Göggingen students for two years. As reading sponsors, they support the children on their way to a more fluid reading. « I can read more easily now, » confirms GENGIEL. And Marwan also doesn’t want to miss the time with the spouses. « You are so nice. If I don’t understand something, explain it to me. »

The reading sponsors are active in almost all primary schools in Augsburg

Reading sponsors such as Barbara and Gerhard Kugelmann have been in use for 20 years. What in Warrior started today, is offered almost across the board at the Augsburg primary schools (as well as in the surrounding area) and partly in daycare centers. According to Stefanie Wachter-Fischer, who coordinates the project in the volunteer center together with Claudia Seitz, 220 women and men from young adult to the mid-ancientian are currently active once or twice a week in terms of reading promotion. Even if this is a remarkable number, it still takes place, says Wachter-Fischer.

A few years ago, the Kugelmanns came across a neighboring child to the reading sponsor project, then took part in the introductory event and applied for the obligatory certificate of good conduct, which a white vest in the criminal record certified. The volunteer center attaches importance to this paper, also in order to deter a « relevant group of people » from the outset.

Augsburg reading sponsors help more self -confidence

In any case, the Göggingen-West primary school is very happy to have the committed couple and around 20 other reading sponsors in their house. For principal Stefanie Gauß, « the 1: 1 care is an important component in primary school ». And reading commissioner Sophie Illige has found that the children involved not only make it easier to read, but also generally “trust” because they have a sense of achievement. Unlike in the class with 20 or more children, they could not hide from their reading sponsors.

The working method of the reading sponsors is as different as the volunteers themselves. According to the volunteer center, some of their own reading material bring with them, others are provided with material by teachers. Much of the funding takes place in the morning, but sometimes the sponsors come to school in the afternoon. As a rule, girls and boys are in focus who find it difficult to read, for example because they do not yet master the German language so well, says Wachter-Fischer. The coordinator would also welcome more sponsorships with very good students – as a « additional motivation boost ».

Educational training does not have to bring potential sponsors, but enjoy reading and dealing with children. The Kugelmanns, for example, who are childless themselves, have already noticed in the club’s work that they have a good connection to the young generation. Gerhard Kugelmann, who previously worked as an engineer, also feels called for another reason. « I was lucky in life and now I want to give something back. »

For the new school year in September, when Engiell and Marwan change school, Barbara and Gerhard Kugelmann want to awaken the joy of reading for other children. The volunteer center hopes for new reading sponsors that could still take action before the summer vacation. Especially in schools in Oberhausen, Lechhausen and the city center, demand is significantly higher than the supply. Interested parties can contact an email to wachter@ volunteer-zentrum-augsburg.de at any time.

Information event takes place in October

The 20th anniversary of the reading sponsor project is celebrated with a reading day on July 16 and a ceremony in October. The next information event for prospective sponsors is scheduled for October 24th. In addition to the volunteers, sponsors are welcome to report, Wachter-Fischer emphasizes- also in order to finance the free training and exchange events for the sponsors.