More equal opportunities: school vacations for all

Going on a carefree vacation - not every child in Germany can take that for granted. The German TV Lottery has therefore been committed to equal opportunities for over 60 years and enables children from socially disadvantaged families to go on school vacations.

via Sabrina

05/31/2017, 17:41

Zahlreiche Kinder in blauen T-Shirts der deutschen Fernsehlotterie auf einem Klettergerüst — In 2017, the German Television Lottery is sending 1,000 children from socially disadvantaged families on vacation.

Acht Kinder in blauen T-Shirts mit der Aufschrift Kinderreisen vor einem Fußballtor — The Allianz Foundation for Children, sponsored by Allianz Germany, was won as an exclusive partner for this project.

Zwei Jungs und zwei Mädchen in Gummistiefeln mit einem Kalb vor einer Scheune — In 13 vacation camps, the children can not only enjoy their first vacation, but also gain enriching experiences.

"A place in the sun" was the name of the aid campaign that First German Television supported with its live draws back in 1956. Children from landlocked Berlin were able to enjoy a relaxing vacation in West Germany thanks to the proceeds from ticket sales. Since the TV lottery revived the campaign in 2006, around 5,000 children have enjoyed carefree days at the nationwide vacation camps.

Vacation camps with educational added value

This year, the social lottery is sending over 1,000 girls and boys on vacation in cooperation with the Allianz für Kinder foundation. In 13 different camps, the focus is on educational added value: caring for animals in the Serengeti Park, setting sail on the coast of Schleswig-Holstein or writing their first songs in the Bavarian Tabaluga House run by the Peter Maffay Foundation. At the school farms in Hesse, Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg, camp visitors can help with feeding, milking and baking.

Strengths and talents are encouraged

"Creatingequal opportunities for children is one of the most important challenges facing our society," says Christian Kipper, Managing Director of Deutsche Fernsehlotterie and Stiftung Deutsches Hilfswerk. "We not only offer the children a week of fun, relaxation and an escape from everyday life, but also want to promote their strengths and talents."

The World Childhood Foundation is also taking part for the second time this year. The organization, founded by Queen Silvia of Sweden, focuses specifically on training vacation camp staff to deal with children who have been victims of domestic violence.