The dream of a children's farm: the facility is looking for leasehold property

A children's farm in Irschenberg?

What sounds like an imaginative working title could soon become a reality for the residents of the children's village.

Irschenberg - When children draw their wishes on a piece of paper, bold plans come out of it. In the Caritas Children's Village Irschenberg, for example, some of the young residents would like to have giraffes and elephants. “And maybe another seal,” says village director Wolfgang Hodbod with a smile. But as imaginative as children paint a zoo, they are not that far removed from what is feasible. Sure, there won't be giraffes and elephants in Irschenberg. “But it could be a kind of petting zoo,” says Hodbod, this time with a certain degree of seriousness.

“Think big,” he said to the couple Matthias Schweinberger (52) and Christina Strobel (56) from Schaftlach.

The two did that.

They want to support the children's village - and know that their money is invested as sustainably as possible.

The result is the “Children's Farm” project.

The only thing missing now is the right plot of land.

The plan: a children's farm

“The idea arose from our wish to support the children's village,” explains Schweinberger. After an accident, his family received money that he and his wife now want to use “sustainably and sensibly for children and young people”. So they contacted village director Hodbod. After consulting with the couple, they started a workshop in June of this year. Results from the family conferences of the children's village were incorporated there. Representatives of the in-house youth parliament finally discussed a possible use of the large donation with house parents, educators, educators and the village director.

“Children and supervisors would like a beautiful property nearby,” reports Strobel.

Older villagers could sit there in the evenings by the campfire.

"Younger people could grow fruit or vegetables, maybe build a raised bed." A construction trailer, maybe with a wood stove, is being considered.

“But we don't want to come up with a finished concept,” says Schweinberger.

Developing with the children is important.

And animals are definitely conceivable.

The lease: a meadow

Now the children's village wants to lease a meadow near Irschenberg with the help of a donation from Strobel and Schweinberger.

The property should be at least 2000 square meters, accessible by minibuses and no more than 15 minutes by car from the children's village.

"Gladly with trees or forests with large open spaces," says Hodbod.

Access to water should be given - "or it should be possible to produce it with reasonable effort," says a flyer designed by Hodbod.

The duty of supervision would be incumbent on the Caritas facility, toilets initially created by a Dixi toilet and later by a compost toilet.

With this in mind, lessors do not have to worry about maintaining the property.

“A person will be named in the children's village who is in charge of the overall management of the children's farm and who is given a quota of hours,” promises Hodbod.

In addition, employees from building services and specialist services would support the project together with 450 euros.

The latter could also be the lessor himself.

The benefits: animal education, integration and inclusion, tenants benefit

Hodbod knows from experience how popular and pedagogically important work in and with nature is.

“It's about adventure, camping, experiences from nature.” Children should learn that there is not always unlimited electricity and heat.

Animals are also a "healing medium".

Primary school and support center could also benefit from the property.

"The idea of ​​inclusion and integration won me over," says Strobel.

Not only the children's village should benefit, but also the lessor.

“We don't want anything for free,” emphasizes Schweinberger.

A lease at the customary local price is being considered - and that with a long-term contract.

At least ten to 15 years would be desirable.

Lease

can be offered to Wolfgang Hodbod without obligation.

He can be reached on 0 80 62/7 09 58 00 or wolfgang.hodbod@caritasmuenchen.de.

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