MUNTERwegs is a non-profit, well-experienced volunteer association, politically independent, non-religious organisation supported and run by professionals such as psychologists, educators etc. Its aim is to promote the equal opportunities for underprivileged children, adolescents and parents in the field of education thus improving their quality of life. From its establishment in 2009, MUNTERwegs has organized mentoring programs in various communities and in cooperation with different organisations. More than 300 pairs were matched and coached via our NGO in the last 5 years. We provide trainings and coachings for our mentors and the participating families in the field of health prevention (physical and mental well being), learning techniques, resilience, fostering equal opportunities and social inclusion.
MUNTERwegs carries out the following main activities:
– It promotes the acquisition of the German and Swiss-German languages and thus the integration of migrant children, adolescents and adults.
– It promotes contacts between the migrants.
– It provides training for parents
– MUNTERwegs, based in Menzingen in canton Zug, has rich mentoring experience for young children using volunteer mentors and a well-established coaching model
The idea behind the concept is that the mentor gives the child a positive role model by establishing a personal relationship with the mentor child. This in turn helps strengthen the child’s personal and social confidence. The goal is that the child will perform better in school and in private. The concept is based on the idea of “mutual benefit” – benefit for both child and mentor.
The vision of the MUNTERwegs Mentoring concept is to work towards greater multicultural and ethnic diversity within society’s institutions. The overall aspiration is that mentor children are able to make marked progress both inside and outside of school. As for the mentors who are aged between 17 years (high school students) until 80 + the aim is that mentors:
– Will be an adult role model in a close relationship with a child
– Gain an insight into a child’s life (and family) , social life and relationships
– Gain increased knowledge, understanding and empathy for people who lead lives completely different to their own
– Gain skills to empower their mentees and contribute to social inclusion in their communities
– Opportunities for social engagement, meaning and purpose through new links to society, strengthen their personal network
– Reflect on new experiences, to endure confrontations, improve intercultural and intergenerational understanding
– communicate with foreign people, expanding their network of relationships
– Orientation of different social working fields (pedagogy, social work, psychology etc.)
– mental well-being through physical activity and inspirations
Verein MUNTERwegs
