School Start a Huge Financial Burden for Many Families: Request for Donations

Families need to spend an average of around 2,200 euros per child and school year on educational expenses. For households affected by poverty, this is a significant hurdle. Therefore, Caritas supports with its annual school start campaign, where affordable school supplies are available at Carla locations.

Caritas Appeals for Donations at the Start of the School Year

"We want to take as many children as possible on the educational journey," explained Caritas director Klaus Schwertner at the launch of the campaign in Vienna. To fill the warehouses, the aid organization is asking for donations. Particularly in demand are well-preserved school bags, pencil cases, children's clothing, and desks.

"Education is still a means of poverty prevention," said Schwertner. Often, it is not talent or diligence that decides the educational path, but the social background. "Let's not belittle ourselves. Let's make the little ones big."

High Expenses for Tutoring

Tutoring is also a significant cost factor. In the past school year, families across Austria spent around 168 million euros on it. For households affected by poverty, this is simply unaffordable, warned Schwertner. Many children would therefore receive less support.

Caritas is trying to counteract this: In 74 learning cafés, around 2,200 children are accompanied by volunteers. Additionally, there are projects like Frei.Spiel, where helpers are directly involved in schools and kindergartens. "96 percent of these children complete their classes positively," emphasized Schwertner on the success. However, the waiting lists are long.

Demands for More Support

In addition to additional voluntary engagement, political decisions are also needed. Schwertner pointed to the wave of retirements among teachers and the increasing number of school-age children. Without more resources, better working conditions, and targeted support, it will be difficult to counteract.

Caritas also calls for a nationwide opportunity index to specifically support disadvantaged school locations, as well as comprehensive child basic security. "Material poverty not only endangers physical well-being but also the educational opportunities of children," warned Schwertner.

Samaritan Association Vienna Also Collects Donations

The Samaritan Association Vienna also supports families affected by poverty. Currently, 330 children from the facilities of the Samaritan Association Vienna rely on support. Through targeted assistance, they are provided with everything they need for a successful start to school - from a well-stocked pencil case to craft materials to a school bag, the organization announced in a press release.

"Without the generous help of our donors, this support would not be possible. By purchasing in large quantities, we can use every euro efficiently - and thus much more effectively than if the families had to shop individually," said Oliver Löhlein, Managing Director of the Samaritan Association Vienna. "Please think of those girls and boys whose parents are struggling with financial hurdles. Educational justice should not depend on income."

(APA/Red)

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