tesa donates 1 million Euro to 'Save the Children'

There is one topic that has been dominating our lives for almost a year now: the global Corona pandemic. One concerned group in particular is often overlooked – our children. According to UNESCO, around 1.5 billion boys and girls are currently severely affected by the closure of schools, day care centers, and leisure facilities. Socially disadvantaged children are hit particularly hard by increasing educational inequality. "Education connects. Together everywhere." is the motto with which 'Save the Children' – the worldwide largest independent children's rights organization – and the international adhesive tape group tesa have decided to form a partnership to give children the chance for a better future. With a donation of 1 million Euro, tesa is supporting selected projects in six countries on three continents: Vietnam, China, India, Mexico, Italy, and Germany. "We are pleased to be able to make such an important contribution as a company, to open a protective umbrella over the emerging generation together with 'Save the Children'," says Dr. Norman Goldberg, CEO of tesa SE. "Education can help significantly in overcoming the crisis and breaking the cycle of poverty – even beyond the Corona pandemic." All funded projects are located in regions where the tesa Group is already present with plants or affiliates or will be active in the future. Just recently, in spring 2020, tesa decided to build another production facility in Vietnam for around 55 million Euro. The production start of adhesive tapes for the electronics and automotive industries is scheduled for 2023.

No action plans on the drawing board

"From the very beginning, our talks made clear that 'Save the Children' and tesa are pursuing the same goals and want to support disadvantaged children in their right to education. With our partnership, we combine local project work with global reach," says Susanna Krüger, Board Chairwoman of 'Save the Children Germany'. "We generally refrain from developing action plans on the drawing board, but always work together with the local people. We use tried and tested models that can be adapted and scaled across national borders," she adds.

Home schooling, teacher trainings, and equipment  

And this is what the educational partnership looks like in concrete terms: In Vietnam, around 20,000 children in rural and poor urban areas will be provided with various educational materials – starting with paper and writing utensils. Furthermore, courses are planned to promote reading and writing, for example with the help of mentors.

In China, the financial support from tesa is helping more than 100,000 children between the ages of ten and twelve and their families to strengthen their socio-emotional development and resilience. Thanks to interactive methods, teachers are given the necessary tools to develop these important skills. Currently, the digitization of such offers has priority.

In India, where 320 million school children are currently affected by school closings, 'Save the Children' wants to ensure that youngsters receive support in home schooling, for example, with mobile libraries. There is also a focus on advising authorities on how to create concepts for the boys and girls to return to school. Because: Child labor, child trafficking, and child abuse are currently increasing significantly.

In Latin America, the situation has deteriorated dramatically over the past few weeks; the region is considered the new epicenter of the pandemic. In Mexico alone, the health, well-being, and education of more than 40 million children are at stake. The comprehensive aid measures are particularly aimed at indigenous groups, immigrant families, and people in rural areas. 'Save the Children' works closely with the Ministry of Education to train teachers, develop teaching content and provide urgently needed technical equipment.

Widespread "educational poverty" also in Europe

However, a variety of aid measures are needed also right at our "doorstep". Around 100,000 children in 30 Italian cities will profit from our support with the motto "Rewrite the future". The provision of Internet access and tablets is intended to ensure that young people can continue learning online while schools are closed.

In Germany, 'Save the Children' is piloting the "MakerSpace" – a digital learning workshop where children from so-called focus schools may openly and creatively strengthen their skills. The project is scientifically supported by the TU Berlin in order to gain further knowledge for digital educational formats.

tesa Donation Program: 5 million Euro

The donation from tesa to 'Save the Children' is part of the Beiersdorf Group's aid program 'Care Beyond Skin'. A few months ago, tesa supported the global Covid-19 crisis fund of 'Doctors Without Borders' with 1 million Euro. Furthermore, tesa is donating 200,000 Euro each to local organizations in seven regions – from Asia to North and Latin America as well as Europe – which the local affiliates have selected. tesa is providing a total of 5 million Euro aimed to alleviate the effects of the Corona crisis.

To kick off the partnership, two tesa child reporters asked the two board members, Susanna Krüger and Dr. Norman Goldberg, for an interview. A video clip of the entertaining interview and donation kick-off can be viewed here: