More than 3 million volunteer hours of support

A milestone birthday: BERLINER LESEPATEN have been inspiring the joy of reading for 20 years 

The BERLINER LESEPATEN are the flagship of the VBKI's charitable commitment. Since its foundation in 2005, more than 2000 volunteers have been improving the educational opportunities of Berlin's children and young people on a purely voluntary basis. On the occasion of the project's anniversary, founder Sybille Volkholz and project manager Karola Hagen look back on the beginnings 20 years ago - and formulate their wishes for the future of the project.

Ms. Volkholz, Ms. Hagen, how did the BERLINER LESEPATEN come about in 2005?

Sybille Volkholz (SV): There were actually four reasons for proposing the project to the VBKI. Due to my professional background, I was aware of the reading and writing deficits of Berlin pupils, and the PISA study from 2000 confirmed this impression. A visit to the USA showed me the potential of volunteer work, in Canada I experienced schools with an average of 50 volunteers - a motivation to strengthen volunteering in Berlin. At the same time, I knew how difficult it was to get schools to cooperate with external organizations. My goal was to establish volunteer help as a matter of course in the education system. Due to Berlin's budget situation, the project was to be privately financed. The VBKI proved to be the ideal partner and is still a reliable sponsor of BERLINER LESEPATEN today.

How long did it take for the project to gain momentum?

SV: Following the VBKI's approval, a three-month pilot phase began in November 2004 with 50 reading mentors at five elementary school. Initial press reports in February generated a great response - our telephone was ringing off the hook! Schools and volunteers came forward in large numbers. One thing was clear: we only support schools in difficult situations that have at least 40 percent children from socially disadvantaged families or families with a migration background.

Karola Hagen (KH): My time at "Bürgernetzwerk Bildung" - renamed BERLINER LESEPATEN in 2019 - began in 2008 with the development of the daycare sector. The development was rapid: in 2011 we welcomed the 1,000th reading mentor, and by 2015 around 2,000 volunteers were involved in 200 schools and 80 daycare centers.

What motivates you to continue your involvement in the BERLINER LESEPATEN project 20 years after it was founded?

KH: The number of children in Berlin who need support on their educational path is not getting any smaller. We want to continue to offer them the support they need and thus contribute to equal opportunities. The BERLINER LESEPATEN are now an integral part of the educational landscape - schools and daycare centers no longer want to do without them. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive, and where there is a "hitch", we help in the interests of the children. I am particularly fascinated by the fact that the project

 who would otherwise never have met. Reading mentors contribute valuable experience and receive a lot of gratitude from the children in return. We have calculated how many additional hours of support have been generated by the project since it was founded - it is likely to be more than 3 million!

SV: I like to call the BERLINER LESEPATEN a "good mood project". Children need optimistic adults who give them confidence. One pupil told me at an anniversary celebration that his reading mentor always believed in him and helped him get a recommendation for grammar school. 

And what are your wishes for the future of the project?

SV: I hope that BERLINER LESEPATEN will continue to be an integral part of Berlin's educational landscape. Schools and daycare centers should regularly evaluate the way the reading mentors work in order to ensure long-term, effective support for children with reading and learning difficulties. My goal is for Berlin children to be able to read better.

KH: We are continuously adapting the project to the changing requirements in schools and daycare centres and are in close contact with the specialist staff in order to optimize support for the children. At the same time, we are continuing to develop our training program in order to prepare the volunteers in the best possible way. I hope that many Berliners will continue to get involved with us and that funding remains secure so that the project can continue in the future. Without the support of our volunteers, partners and sponsors, the 20-year history of BERLINER LESEPATEN would not be possible. 

SV: Expanding the project to promote basic skills beyond reading would be an exciting plan for the future. Finally, I would like to thank the VBKI and my successor team, especially Karola Hagen, for their contribution to the common good in Berlin. 

More information: www.lesepaten.berlin