Since the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Kindernothilfe and REWE Group have been working closely together for the benefit of young people in the Caribbean country affected by poverty and political instability. Following the construction of a modern school financed by our donations, in 2016 the aid went beyond a qualified school-leaving certificate: since then, selected school leavers from poor families have received scholarships to study or receive good vocational training. With this scholarship programme, we, the REWE Group and its employees, are currently helping over 240 young people to achieve their legal rights. Their legal right to a future.

Three of them tell us here how they are doing, what training they are doing, what the scholarship means to them - and how it can help them to help their country one day:

one: Magdala, Rubens, Erlineda: Who are you and how are you doing at the moment?
Rubens: I'm Rubens, 20 years old and I'm training to be a network technician. I live with my family in Delmas, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince. Since I was a child, I have seen my mother work hard to feed our family. However, due to the bloody fighting in our neighbourhood, she can no longer work and so I am not well.

Erlineda: My name is Erlineda, 27, I have already completed my training as an electrical engineer. I can't say I'm doing well, given the situation in the country. I've already had to move three times. Since my first year at sixth form, I've lived with my family in Delmas 2; that means my mum, dad, four sisters and my little brother. We had to leave the neighbourhood and move to Croix-des-Bouquets, where my father built a new house. Two years later, the gangs conquered the neighbourhood and I had to move in with my uncle on my mother's side. On St Nicholas' Day a year ago, it was around 6am, gangs broke into our house and killed my uncle in front of us. I can't get that morning out of my head. We had to leave the house and are now living with another uncle on my mother's side.

Magdala: I'm Magdala, 21, and I'm doing a vocational training programme to become a chef. I'm going through a somewhat difficult time at the moment due to the current situation in the country, but I'm keeping a positive attitude, staying motivated and determined to move forward. After all, I can only build a successful future if I make an effort today.

one: Why did you apply for a scholarship?
Rubens: I wanted to acquire skills that would qualify me for a good job on the one hand and that I could use to help my family and my community on the other.

Erlineda: I applied for this scholarship because I really needed it and wanted to attend a vocational school instead of going to university. Without the scholarship, I would have had to apply to a state university in Haiti, which I wouldn't have really wanted to do because of the situation in the country.

Magdala: I applied for this scholarship because my mother has a low income and was therefore unable to cover my tuition fees and those of my sister at renowned vocational training centres.

one: What training or study programme are you using your scholarship for? And is that even possible at the moment given the difficult situation?
Magdala: I'm using my scholarship for training in fine cookery: cooking and baking as well as cake decorating. My school was closed for a fortnight due to the security crisis in the country, but the situation is currently improving, lessons are continuing and I can start again.

Rubens: Thanks to the scholarship from Kindernothilfe, I am currently studying network technology at Canado Technique. Unfortunately, I have to stay at home due to the current crisis in the country and cannot continue my studies at the moment.

Erlineda: I had chosen electrical engineering. I now work in a company that I joined through an internship. After my probationary period, I was offered a permanent position and have been working there ever since.

one: What do you wish for after completing your training or for your professional future?
Magdala: As soon as I have completed my studies, I would like to find a job where I can apply the skills I have learnt while continuing to learn and grow. My dream would be to start my own patisserie business where I can combine my love of cooking and cake decorating. In the long term, I would like to deepen my administrative skills in order to better manage my company and ensure its success.

Rubens: I want to start my own business to help my community and, of course, to make a profit and live from it.

Erlineda: As I already work in my field, I would like to do more training in electrical engineering and personnel management. Like Rubens, I want to start a company to reduce unemployment in my country and help others.

one thanks the employees of Kindernothilfe Haiti for taking the time to interview the three scholarship holders despite the difficult current situation in the country.