My trip to Eritrea for Children for Tomorrow
In 1998, I founded the non-profit foundation “Children for Tomorrow”. Our goal is to support and initiate projects that provide assistance to children and families who have become victims of war, persecution, and violence. Besides the support for refugee children and their families living in Hamburg we have 4 more projects in Kosovo, South Africa, Eritrea and recently formed a new branch in Uganda. Our aid project in Eritrea started in 2006 and provides kindergarten facilities for about 1000 children, counseling support, and education for nurses and teachers at the kindergartens.
Eritrea is country plagued by decades of political instability and riots. Shortage of building material and other delays has historically hampered our projects there. But finally in August 2007, the first kindergarten was ready to be opened in the city Asmara and so I traveled to Eritrea to follow up the progress of this wonderful project and to inaugurate the first of three planned kindergartens. The trip and the work on site were demanding, and we certianly had setback but at the same we achieved a great deal of what we set out to do.
The friendliness and joyfulnes of the Eritrean people is something to see considering their truly unbelievable conditions but I was still personally dismayed how much the children especially suffer from the economic problems of the country. For most children in the Western World, kindergarten is an assumed ritual in the early part of their lives. But in one part of the city of Asmara there are only 200 places available in a kindergarten for 6000 eligible children. We are proud of our efforts to support the country and the local children by the opening of the kindergarten.
Despite the unstable situation during our trip through the country, I was mesmerized by the beauty of the African nature and culture and took in every bit I could. During my trip I became aware of the importance to give my own children the opportunity to look and learn how children in other parts of the world live under the most difficult of circumstances. It is all about the children of this world and my hope is that we all can give our own children the sense of responsibility and the impulse to think for themselves and about others along their path.
What wonderful work you are doing in retirement and it was fantastic to watch you playing on Centre Court again at Wimbledon. Best of luck and good wishes for the future.
Marie
Australia
More than your combined tennis careers, the thing I admire most about both you and Andre are your charitable works.!!!!! Andre’s school hits me at the deepest part of my heartfelt positive emotions, but learning of your work for kids overwhelmed by war and persecution has effected me as much. Much luck as you and Children for Tomorrow head into Uganda! They need the help desperately! Also, hats off to fans who donate. I know that I plan to in the not too distant future.
Good day Stefanie,
It is with great pleasure that I came accross your website today while shopping for a Longine watch. I was a fan of yours and your playing inspired alot mine. I hang my racquet 13 years ago due to an accident and decided to pursue another passion.
I was wondering if you take any donations for your foundation of the Children of tomorrow. I donate alot to the Unicef and the red cross but any good cause is a great reason to give.
Keep up the good work.
Distinguished regards,
Marie Jo
Hi Stefanie,
We want to write an article about your project in Eritrea.
How can we get more up to date information?
We are an online news paper!
We would appreciate to hear from you!
Jonas
Are you and Andre going to have any more children? Do your children play tennis?
Dear Steffi,
It is fascinating to read about your experiences in the African nations. God bless you for reaching out to the less privileged. You are no doubt the greatest player in the history of tennis, but this aspect of your personality (the ability to reach out to others) makes you an incredibly beautiful human being.
I have a quick question. From what I know, your efforts to help people and children in developing nations have mostly concentrated within the African nations (please forgive me if I am wrong). Have you ever considered reaching out to struggling Asian countries such as India? I grew up in Calcutta, India. The extent of inequality in India is just alarming. I guess what is shocking is not the poverty, but more so the huge difference between middle class and the lower income groups of the society. I would expect similar scenarios in other developing Asian countries.
I am have been in the U.S. for the last 5 years and am currently a PhD student in a graduate program in the Northeast. My interactions with people from Western countries tells me that generally people in the West are so unaware of the living conditions in the struggling nations. What people take for granted here is usually considered a blessing by the mass in countries like mine.
Thanks Steffi, for reaching out to the less privileged, especially to little children. I hope you get to visit India one day and your work reaches those countries as well. People (with access to education, and sports) are crazy about you at home.
Hope you have wonderful happy life with Andre and the kids.
Warm regards,
Zinnia
Steffi, how does one become a volunteer and part of your organization in helping the less fortunate. I have always wanted to be part of an organization to help people in every aspect that I can. Do you hire volunteers to help you out with your foundations? If so, how do I become one?
Thanks and keep up the great humanitarian work also. GOD Bless You!
Mannie Aguilera
keep the good work in Eritrea. wish u the best & God bless u .
Hi Steffi
After reading the article, I was fascinated about your project in Eritrea. It has been my dream to participate in those kind projects in Eritrea. My desire is providing my technical and technological experiance to Eritrean kids. I just want to know how can I participate in your project. I have a lot to offer to those kids.
Sehr geehrte Frau Graf-Agassi,
meine Kinder sind in Godeif, einem Stadtteil Asmaras aufgewachsen. Ich hoffe sehr, dass Sie die Auswahl ihrer Bilder so treffen, dass auch meine Kinder, die aus Eritrea geflohen sind, sie dennoch mit Stolz auf ihre Heimat betrachten können.
it is great that people are stopping to do in there busy life to help asmara is a great place and people dont even notice it but this just proves that people can stop and think for others for no money to.
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repect for you,,,that s good news to hearing about children in eritrea,,,they have the worst life in the world,,i can say,,thankyou and god bless you
Dear Steffi,
I wish u a very happy birthday to you… Hope this say will bring you lots of luv & happiness in your life. Have a nice day
Wait for ur reply since long…
Bye ,Take care
Regards / Your old amirer
Devendar
New Delhi ( India)