Germany

Kindertagesstätte Rethwisch, a kindergarten that cares for about 20 children aged 1 – 6 years, heard the news that Aspen Bad Oldesloe were once again hosting Mandela Day activities and they jumped at the opportunity to be included. They needed a little garage for their “turtle bus” – a 6-seater vehicle used by the children. The Aspen team was only too keen to help and 5 employees made their wish come true on 6 July.

The Mitternachtsbus in Hamburg supplies about 200 homeless people with hot drinks, rolls, a sleeping pad, socks and other items each day. Volunteers drive the bus 365 days per year to meet the needs of these destitute folk who live on the streets, and so too did an Aspen employee when he took over the driving duties on 24 June.

In a third activity arranged for Mandela Day, Aspen aligned with Diakonische Werk Bad Oldesloe, an organisation that presents German language courses to refugees of all genders and ages from different countries. An Aspen team of 4 joined some of the 280 refugees for the course presented on 22 June and they used the opportunity to provide insight into the company and their specific jobs before gifting an Aspen towel to the refugees.