How the foundation changed my life – Interview with Vivienne

I first came into contact with the foundation in 2017. I started working at AEB in July – that's when Daniel and Silke (both on the Board of Trustees) approached me and asked if I would like to join the communications working group and become part of the AEB-Stiftung. I was immediately on board. Firstly, because I can help with my work and consider education to be very valuable and secondly, because I can do exactly what I enjoy.

As I trained as a media designer and work in marketing at AEB, I also take care of advertising materials for the AEB-Stiftung and the foundation's digital presence. My first task was to design the foundation's logo. The exciting thing for me was that we started out without any guidelines and I was simply free to be creative. Gradually, more and more media were added that I had to design. The website, banners, signs,... I do it all with a lot of heart, because I know that it's a small part of something big and important.

As I have been active in a sports club and played handball for many years, it's always been important for me to stick together and stand up for others. I have also found these values in the foundation. Working together to make a difference and help disadvantaged people – and importantly, in the area of education. I believe that all doors should be open to everybody so that everyone can find their own path. In our society, which is often based on performance and good grades or degrees, a person with its individual personality is often forgotten. Children should therefore have a good basis as early as possible to get the best out of themselves and develop their personality. Equal opportunities – no matter what starting point you have and what environment you live in.

I have learned through the AEB-Stiftung to be grateful for what I have and to be proud of myself (for example, as I was when we officially presented the logo I designed). I have also gained self-confidence through the foundation and I want to share that with others. I want to put the strength and the feeling that the foundation gives me directly back into the foundation in order to give children access to education. It can be just small moments that bring a smile to a child's face and knowing that I've contributed to this is one of the best feelings ever. Especially when you know that the child has learned something new and you have helped to unfolded yet another part of their personality.