From children to children: The children’s advisory board of the donation-funded aid organization in Munich has greatly eased our daily lives and financed the procurement and installation of water pumps for our water tank.

Learning engagement – deciding for a budget – taking responsibility. With these slogans, Children for a Better World e.V. operates one of its programs, “Children’s Advisory Boards.” In this program, it is the children who decide whether a project proposal should be supported, and if so, with what budget. A maximum of 1500 euros can be approved for each submitted project—if the board members, aged 8 to 18, consider it worthwhile and sustainable. What a wonderful participatory approach!

We were so happy when we received the great news that our submitted project proposal for two smaller pumps for our large green water tank had been approved. For a total of 1400 Euros, we were finally able to purchase them and have them installed by local companies. The entire process took two days, as the soil had to be manually dug up, pipes laid, and the system finally connected by an electrician. But what does this mean for our children? Whenever the water supply was interrupted—which is not uncommon in South Africa—the children had to run outside with buckets to the reserve tank, fill them through a small tap, and then carry the heavy water buckets back into the house. And now? The children can simply turn on the tap inside the building or flush the toilet, and water will automatically be pumped from the water tank. What an incredible relief in our daily lives! We are endlessly grateful for this wonderful support and for the fact that children are helping other children. The biggest thank you to the dear members of the Children’s Advisory Board at children for a better world e.V.