Last Thursday, the pupils of classes 1/2a and 1/2b at Polling primary school experienced a traditional Christmas event in a very special way. Together with their teachers Susanne Rehse and Birgit Höß and some volunteers, they went singing through the village of Flossing. Their aim: to collect donations for Ambatana. Ambatana is a non-profit organisation based in Tüßling that supports children in Kenya. The Rescue Centre, which is run by the local partner organisation YISOG in Kenya, takes care of vulnerable children who are at risk, of forced marriage or female genital mutilation, for example.
The children went from house to house, singing the traditional ‘Klopfer’ song. The rhythm of their song echoed through the town and encouraged many locals to open their hearts and donate generously. The campaign was a complete success: A total of €926.49 was raised for the children in Kenya.
On Monday, the time had finally come: Mr Loidl, a representative of Ambatana, came to the primary school in person to thank the children. In an impressive presentation, he showed the enthusiastic pupils photos from his visit to Kenya in February. The children learnt about the local living conditions, the challenges and the special moments that the children experience at the Rescue Centre. “It is important that we here in Polling and Flossing can also make a contribution,” said Mr Loidl as he told the children about the progress of the project.
“I think it’s great that we can help so many children with our singing,” said one pupil. “It was nice to get a real picture of how the children in Kenya are doing and what our money can do.”
The children proudly handed over the collected sum to Mr Loidl. The joy and the feeling of having done something good was clear to see in their eyes. A moving moment that will be a lovely Christmas present for both the children at Polling primary school and the children in Kenya.
Article by Birgit Höß