Who is the registered society “Let´s start with ABC e.V.”?

In 2006 Norbert Hölter founded the society “Let’s Start with ABC”.
How was this possible? Why did he do it? Which tasks and goals he set himself and what was already done by the society?
We sum it up here:

Why are you particularly interested in the Philippines?

Hölter: “My partner grew up in the Philippines. After many visits I became familiar with her native country and the Elementary School of Bolong Beach, too.”

What impression did you get of the school and the children?

Hölter: “I was very impressed at how proud the children were to be allowed to go to school. Every morning they come together on the school-playground to hoist the national flag of the Philippine Republic and to sing the national anthem with the right hand on their heart. My impression was that they even enjoyed wearing their school-uniforms.

During the lessons I observed that the children did’nt make notes or exercises by writing as it is often practiced in German schools. Additionally the atmosphere in the rundown school-buildings can not be compared to European schools.”

How did you react to this flood of different images?

Hölter: “I tried to buy a writing pad, to make a note of my
 impressions. The shop assistant in the little shop asked me, how many sheets I wanted to buy. I was very surprised by the question as I had not realized how very expensive a writing pad would be for the inhabitants of Bolong Beach. And suddenly I understood, why only so few children were able to make notes during the lessons. And immediately I wanted to change it.”

What did you do?

Hölter: “I bought some writing material, which I made available to the school. It is obvious that it was not enough, but it was a start. Back in Germany I searched for helper and founded the society.”

How much have you achieved until now?

Hölter: “I am especially proud that we belong to the 100 organizations receiving a scholarship from the organization “startsocial e.V.” The German Chancellor Mrs. Angela Merkel accepted the patronage of the organization.

Among other things it is thanks to the scholarship that we were guided by a professional coaching team. What is it for? Seven applicants will receive a development fund of € 5.000,00. Please imagine how much money this would represent for the inhabitants of the Philippines. Now we are working in common to win the prize, which would be so important for the school-children.

Besides the work of redevelopment which was carried out with the donated money, one of our first projects was especially forward-looking: Through the internet a doctor took notice of us. He agreed to examine the school-children of Bolong Beach for free. So more than 350 children were examined in a medical file, in which height, weight, age and the physical condition of the children was stated. All dates were given to the local health center.

In addition we collected a really considerable amount of € 3.300: Honorary member and cabaret artist Esther Münch played for the good cause in a room of events in Bochum.The school in the Philippines will benefit from the whole amount collected by the tickets.

It is obvious, that I can mention just a few examples of the willingness to help, which followed my personal commitment. We have achieved much within a short time and I hope that the peaceful fight for the right of knowledge can be continued for a long time.