After more than two years, the consequences of the severe floods in the summer of 2021 in the Ahr Valley are still visible in many places. From the beginning, we were able to support the families by creating play spaces and financial support for educational institutions, and to work with the children on emergency and trauma education. For adults who live or work with children, we provided training on the characteristics of trauma and ways to deal with this trauma. Our employee Johannes von Mitzlaff has now been working on site for over a year to maintain and intensify the exchanges with affected people, institutions and communities. His work resulted in many new projects and collaborations in the region, such as a horse-riding project in the district of Ahrweiler in the Eifel, which was severely damaged by the flood.

In the horse-riding project, in cooperation with Pegasus e. V., the resilience skills of a group of children are strengthened over six months. The children are given the space to slowly and consciously met the horses and rabbits on the farm. Due to the high care ratio, which is continuously guaranteed by specialized educators, it is ensured that every child receives great attention in their challenges and learns to deal constructively with the animals and plants on the farm. It's not just about riding, but about experiencing self-efficacy and strengthening self-awareness through a variety of activities on the farm and with the horses. Some children were particularly proud when they were able to take home their dream catchers made from horseshoes, beads and stones, which will certainly remind them of their own strength and abilities for a long time to come.