weltwärts
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weltwärts
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South-North: Miguel's weltwärts experience in Germany
As a child, Miguel Ángel Molina Saavedra suffered greatly from his physical impairments and learning difficulties. The teachers in his native Bolivia lacked the capacity to help him. A local organisation, supported by the Bolivianisches Kinderhilfswerk children’s charity, stepped in to help Miguel. The 33-year-old is now with weltwärts in Germany – and is keen to give something back. He works as an educator at the Rohräcker school centre in Esslingen, an inclusive learning centre.
What does weltwärts mean to you?
Miguel: For me, weltwärts means opportunity. The funding enables people from the Global South, who have very little money to get by on, to visit a European country. But weltwärts also means the opportunity to exchange experiences and culture. I learn something new every day. For example, I was really surprised at how expensive beef is in Germany – but also that there are so many vegetarian options.
"I would like to say to the young boy I was back then:
Look, we made it."
Your place of assignment involves working with people with disabilities and impairments. What does your typical day there look like?
Miguel: The first task of the day is to collect the children from the buses that bring them to the learning centre. Then the agenda includes play-related activities and doing tasks with them. The Rohräcker school centre in Esslingen is a holistic centre for children. It is well equipped, with different areas. The care depends on the child's needs and the type of disability. It is a learning centre: The children are taught to read and write, and language are motor skills are practised where necessary.
You are an educator by profession, and had difficulties yourself as a child. Tell us your story.
Miguel: My mother had an accident when she was pregnant with me. I was born prematurely and struggled as a result. Because of my learning difficulties, I am interested in education as a profession. I was barely able to walk and couldn’t speak. My mother carried me about until I was around seven years old. That went on for several years until I came across a non-government organisation that was supported by the Bolivianisches Kinderhilfswerk children’s charity. They helped me with my rehabilitation. I was bullied at school. As a child, I didn’t understand why I had to go through all that. The teachers found me irritating. I took longer than the other children to learn things.
Now you are with weltwärts in Germany and working at the Bolivianisches Kinderhilfswerk charity.
Miguel: All that had a huge impact on me. But now I feel thankful. I hope that I can give something back through the work I do now. To the little boy I was then, who was always crying, who was sad, who didn’t understand anything, I would like to say: Look, we made it, we’re in Europe. That is the essence of the weltwärts programme – to give people the opportunity to experience a new country and a new culture. I never thought I’d be selected. And I had always dreamed of flying in an aeroplane too. That was a really wonderful experience. I still can’t believe it all.
What came as a surprise to you in Germany?
Miguel: How much money and resources get pumped into the education sector here. It would be fantastic if that were the case in my home country of Bolivia. There are enough staff here in Germany. There is also well-organised transport for the students here. That really surprised me.
What is the situation in the Bolivian education system?
Miguel: In Bolivia, basic items like desks and chairs might not be available. Sometimes the parents bring them in. The schools in Bolivia provide only one teacher for a very large number of pupils. As I perceive it, more attention is paid to the individual situation of each pupil here. This must cost an awful lot.
How did those around you react to your exchange year in Germany?
Miguel: They literally didn’t believe me. Even now, I have relatives who don’t believe that I’m here in Germany. Just because it’s hugely expensive to get here. The process was far from easy. There were a lot of problems with the embassy before I got a visa. The situation in Bolivia in this respect is quite complicated. I hope the response is healthy envy. I still can’t quite believe that I have actually been living here for four months – and have the opportunity to visit tourist locations that I have only ever seen on television. It’s unbelievable.
What have you seen so far? The Black Forest, perhaps?
Miguel: I went to Berlin, for example, and saw a lot of the buildings there. I have also been to Strasbourg, on the German-French border. That was amazing. I always take photos now. On the one hand to have them as memories. But also as proof that I really was there.