In 2022, the Bohle Group will again support the work of the SOS Children's Village Ennerdale, a suburb of Johannesburg in South Africa. This is the fourth year in a row that the company has donated to the village. The increase in children and young people in need of help in the village, caused among other things by the after-effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on local families, shows how important the commitment is.
There is a lot to do in 2023. With its Christmas donation, Bohle is supporting those responsible in the im-plementation of the planned projects.
The story of James from Ennerdale
The story of James from Ennerdale shows how successful the work on site is. It is one of many successful examples from the Children's Village. James came to the SOS Children's Village at the age of 9, grew up and was looked after there, went to school and has developed a self-confident personality. He later led the SOS Children's Village Youth Forum as President and went on to study Travel and Tourism Management at university, where he is now celebrating his graduation. "I wouldn't have achieved my dreams if it wasn't for SOS Children's Village and my sponsors," James is convinced. "I really have a grateful heart."
Annual donations provide planning security
Sustainable support is very important to those responsible at Bohle. Since 2019, the company has therefore been supporting the work of the SOS Children's Village in Ennerdale with an annual donation. The South African subsidiary is in personal contact with those in charge of the site. Arne Klöfkorn, CEO of Bohle AG, also visited the village personally and is convinced of the success of the project and is impressed by the commitment of the employees: "The path of young James is exemplary for the successful work in Ennerda-le. Everyone here makes a significant contribution to the well-being and positive development of the child-ren and young people. We want to continue to promote this in the sense of a firm partnership and, with our donation, give even more children the opportunity to take their future into their own hands."
The continuity of support also gives the local organisers a certain planning security. And this is important for a long-term commitment that can bear fruit.
The SOS Children's Village in Ennerdale: a place of refuge and a contact point at the same time
The SOS Children's Village in Ennerdale has been in operation since 1984. At the beginning of 2022, around 90 children were being cared for there. The village is located in a suburb of Johannesburg in South Africa and works towards a more promising future for the many children and young people who are born in the poor townships of Johannesburg. The children grow up in the townships partly under precarious conditi-ons. The crime and unemployment rates in Ennerdale are high - not least due to the lack of access to edu-cation and a rather hopeless living situation. From birth, these children have a lower life expectancy. The lack of cognitive development due to low education leads to further aggression, social exclusion, violence, drug abuse and family disruption.
A stable environment, regular meals, schooling and family protection are some of the cornerstones of the work of the SOS Children's Village on site in Ennerdale. The helpers accompany the children and young people from childhood until they start their careers and attend university. This help is long-term and sustainable. It supports the children in building their own lives and finding a way out of the spiral of life in the townships. For a future with more perspective.