This unique project is designed to care for and support children with a migrant background and disadvantaged Austrian children at primary school. Twice a week, Austrian senior citizens help these children with their homework in a programme of continuous one-to-one care, and support them in their learning. This personal and loving contact benefits the children not just on an educational but also on a human level. The senior citizens, meanwhile, are integrated into a social structure by their dedication, and experience appreciation and the feeling of being needed.

The project, which is unique to date, was brought to life by Michaela Dirnbacher from Verein NL40 together with a team of experts, and is organised in close coordination with teachers from the cooperation schools and a pool of pedagogues, specialists in intercultural competence and a psychologist. As a result, high quality assurance can be guaranteed.

I myself support the Oma-Opa Project voluntarily. I am happy to contribute whatever I can: media contacts, presentations, financial planning, and sometimes even cakes and desserts I have baked myself for fund-raising events.

I would be very happy if you, too, could see your way to supporting this project. For further details, click here.

  • International work is always a personal enrichment – as I can confirm from my own experience.
  • The project shows impressively that the private initiative of a single individual can make a real difference.
  • The concept of the project is sustainable and systemic. In addition to improving the German-language skills and school performance of the children, it serves to integrate the senior citizens: the people involved experience positive feedback and confirmation, as they are able to pass on knowledge and life experience to the children they are caring for. As well as this, they can follow up on a fulfilling occupation, are integrated into a social network, and can establish new contacts.
  • Integration, inter-cultural exchange and communication between the generations are all promoted as a result. These are the cornerstones of the Oma-Opa Project that make it so unique.