For some time now, the German Lifesaving Society has been teaching kindergarten children important swimming rules in a playful way - in future, the youth department of the Giessen district group will also be doing so. Stadtwerke Giessen is contributing to the costs of realising the project in the region.
Do not go swimming on a full or completely empty stomach. Get out of the water immediately if there is thunder and lightning: girls and boys of pre-school age learn these and many other rules during the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) action days at nurseries. "We believe it is very important that even three to six-year-olds learn the rules of swimming and are aware of the dangers that lurk in the water," explains Sebastian Jünger, Youth Chairman of the DLRG - Kreisgruppe Gießen e.V. The volunteers are now bringing the project to Gießen. They are currently building a large puppet theatre that will play an important role during the action days. "If we simply recite the rules to the little ones, the desired effect won't materialise. We use exciting hands-on stories and various educational games to grab the children's attention and actively involve them in the programme," explains Sebastian Jünger.
A good deed for the DLRG
This concept also convinced Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG). On Wednesday 27 February, Angelika Korspeter from SWG's accounting department presented a donation of 500 euros to the chairman and deputy chairmen of the youth section of DLRG Gießen. "My daughter is involved in the kindergarten programme. It was immediately clear to me that the young volunteers at the DLRG deserved help," said Angelika Korspeter. She therefore suggested the campaign for the "75 good deeds" with which SWG is supporting associations, organisations and projects in the region in its anniversary year.
Sebastian Jünger and the five deputy chairmen of the youth department were delighted with the donation, as they have to rely on the small annual budget for the necessary materials - for example to build the puppet theatre. "We are now able to purchase the paint, curtain material and puppets for the theatre as well as a puzzle that can also be used for exercises in the water," explained Sebastian Jünger.