How the foundation changed my life – Interview with Eric

That was in 2017, when Mr. Belz launched the foundation. I was already technically involved from an IT perspective when it was set up. It was a great idea and so important.

I have subsequently accompanied a number of events, for example when the KinderHelden  visited us at HQ and were able to experience a tour of the building. I showed them the digital lab, equipped with VR glasses, a 3D printer and the likes.

It became very emotional when the children used virtual reality and Google Earth to visit their original home countries, mostly crisis or war zones, and told us where their house is or used to be or where their family members live(d). That really moved me.

I'm currently one of the "teachers" from afar, so to speak. Together with my colleague Matthias, I've set up the IT club with pupils from St. Bruno School (AEB-Stiftung together with ADEPT). (In Uganda, it's called ICT Club – Information and Communication Technology). We meet online every 14 days with the pupils and the IT teacher.

At the beginning, it was important to get to know each other personally. Then we explained how to keep the 42 PCs as dust-free as possible and how to maintain them so that they can be used in the long term. In the meantime, the first practical IT tasks have to be handled, which our scholarship holders then present in their respective classes upon completion.

As things we take for granted in Germany are not a given in Uganda – not even direct access to water or a reliable flow of electricity – you can't expect a smooth connection to the internet or network stability. Based on this, the initial focus was on meeting each other, providing guidance, and establishing an interconnected computer network on site. 

It simply feels good to see how support and commitment make a difference. Working for the foundation enables you to get very close to people. Their direct feedback is motivation enough. It makes you internalize even more how well we are doing in Germany. The realization that nothing can be taken for granted makes you grateful. Being able to pass on experience, to share some of it. That is something close to my heart and it's also a lot of fun.

My view of the world, my gratitude for my own good living conditions. The joy that you can derive from personal commitment and support. Good deeds simply feel good. And you get back more than you give.