Image: OÖRK/fotokerschi
The door opens and Andre, Ecrin and Esla come, packed with their school bags, to the Red Cross learning center in Traun. A breather, a lunch together in the group room, then the three elementary school students do their homework with their teachers and work through the subject matter in a playful way with learning exercises. “The most important thing for us is to give the children a daily structure. We encourage them individually, help them learn and respond to their needs,” says Jana Aichmayr, teacher at the Red Cross Learning Island.
The Red Cross Learning Island project was first presented to Traun Mayor Karl-Heinz Koll (VP) in May 2022. “The whole thing then developed very quickly. Sponsors got in touch immediately and the location was easy to find,” says the mayor.
For about a month now, three teachers, a psychologist and several Red Cross volunteers have been caring for 22 children. These were selected in cooperation with the surrounding elementary schools in Oedt, St. Martin, Traun and Dionysen and their directors. For the children, the learning island is intended to act as a mediator between school and family, says Paul Reinthaler, Red Cross district manager in Linz-Land.
way out of the poverty trap
So far, the Red Cross learning islands have only existed in Vienna and Graz. With Traun, the first location in Upper Austria has now been created. Whether and when there will be further learning islands in Upper Austria depends, among other things, on the necessary support.
“Most people associate the Red Cross with rescue, with ambulance transport and with blue lights. A key area that unfortunately is often forgotten is education. We would like to continue to get involved here. This is the only way to escape the poverty trap and live life in take your hand,” says Red Cross President Walter Aichinger. (cape)
Source: Nachrichten
