Germany
The team at Aspen Bad Oldesloe selected five beneficiaries to support through their 2012 Mandela Day activities. These include St Joseph's Children's Home; SterniPark Kindergarden, OASE Multiple Generation Home; Wichern Retirement Home and Ronald McDonald House.
Aspen Bad Oldesloe's employees participated in a range of activities in accordance with these beneficiaries' needs. The gardens were enhanced at St Joseph's Children's Home while the social area was painted and the gardens improved at the OASE Multiple Generation Home. The SterniPark Kindergarden received visual enhancements through framed photographs with two Aspen Operational Executives engaging in the programme presented to assist with process optimisation. The elderly residents at the Wichern Retirement Home were taken on a sightseeing tour of Bad Oldesloe and assisted with their shopping needs following which they enjoyed cake and tea. The Ronald McDonald House in Ludbeck was supported by having its wooden garden shed painted and Aspen employees baked cake for the parents who returned to the House after visiting their sick hospitalised children.
About St Joseph's Children's Home
The St Joseph's children's home presently accommodates 133 boys and girls from birth to the age of 18. Two of the children are disabled. All the children have parents, but they are unable to live at home for various reasons such as alcohol or drug abuse, prostitution or other social problems. Two of the 130 children are disabled.
About SterniPark Kindergarden
This facility provides children with an environment in which they can learn a second language. SterniPark's bilingual concept focuses on a good balance of the English and German languages and seeks to support and create a fun, motivating and challenging environment for the 30 children who are no older than 12 years.
About OASE Multiple Generation Home
The OASE Multiple Generation Home provides a single facility for various generations to come together. They provide a kindergarden and offer courses and seminars for young mothers and elderly women who are also able to read fairy tales to the kindergarden children. The multi generation houses concept is supported by the German government and its Social Ministry in Berlin.
About Wichern Retirement Home
The Wichern Home caters for the 36 elderly residents with an average age between 70 and 80 years. Certain pensioners have limited mobility and reside at the home as they either have no family or their families are not able to care for them during the day. These residents also have limited access to shopping and social engagements - other than the activities provided at the home, so any outdoor excursion is a wonderful treat for them.
About Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald Houses provide a "home-away-from-home" for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child. They offer apartments at little or no costs. The program allows families to stay together, helping their children heal faster and cope better. There are 315 Ronald McDonald Houses serving families in 31 countries worldwide.
