Summer 2022 was hot and dry, so a short stay at the Clemi Hut in the mountains above Steinfeld was a welcome cool down for some of the 5 SOS groups who visited this summer. In total there were 62 children and their carers from 6 different SOS villages.
The general feedback that we received was again extremely positive. It usually takes a day or two for the children to settle in and get used to the “new” experience of being without a television/Netflix/computer games/mobile phone. But by the end of the week all of them can appreciate the benefits of “downtime”. Games are played, as often as possible outside when the weather permits, and when not inside. We have been very fortunate and are grateful to have received a lot of donations of in- and outdoor games from local friends and families. Unfortunately the children are sometimes careless and uncontrolled and we had a lot of breakage and damage this summer. Puzzle pieces are missing and parts of games have gone astray.
Once again Mr Schwager and his wife excelled in the maintenance and care of the building and contents before during and after the SOS groups visits. A lot of organisation and preparation has to be done before the children can be welcomed. Chopping and stowing the firewood, checking the water levels for the WC´s, getting the Widder into action for drinking water, buying gas cannisters (for the cooking and heating) mowing of the lawn, checking light bulbs and other fittings, making of the beds and buying supplies, to name but a few.
Mr Schwager also guided the groups on long hikes and accompanied them to look for mushrooms and berries. His input and patience is invaluable and appreciated by all.
It is fair to say that Summer 2022 was a more challenging year than most, but all the SOS groups had enriching and educational experiences that they will never forget, and without exception were grateful for the “quiet” time spent in the mountains.