WCTAG hilft e.V.
managed by U. Kramer
About us
The World Chen Taijiquan Association Germany (WCTAG) is Germany's largest Tai Chi Association. As part of our charitable work we have created WCTAG Helps and have been successfully supporting children's aid projects in Sri Lanka and Brazil since 2004. Our goal is to create small local projects that offer safe and sheltered environments for street children from extremely poor regions and to provide them with targeted education so they may sustainably improve their living conditions.
These children grow up in a dangerous world characterized by violence and drugs. Our project areas supply the children with food, clothing and medical care and our qualified team cares for them, gives them love and offers them psychological support.
We define education as:
- General education
- Teaching humanitarian values
- Developing self-esteem and self-confidence
- Promoting environmental awareness.
Both intellectual education and structured physical activity are essential pillars of our work. We find that combining classroom education with physical activity promotes overall harmony between body and mind. Educational literacy gives children solid tools for communication and exercising helps them compensate for their aggression, develop physically and earn recognition for the first time.
Both methods combine to create keys to peace, prosperity and the long-term transformation of any society. Only through these types of educational opportunities will people gain the perspective and the ability to lead an independent life.
WCTAG Helps among others is supported by the Friedrich-Wilhelm and Brigitte Werner Foundation and its associated company Bijou Brigitte AG.
Aid Projects
Brazil - The Island of Children
In Brazil, millions of forgotten street children still live at the margins of society. They are begging on the street, their clothes are torn and dirty. One cannot help but read neglect in their eyes. They do not have a chance to regularly attend school or to receive a daily hot meal. Already at a very young age the children are forced to take care of themselves. In their despair, they easily turn to drug circles, become criminals or sell their bodies.
In our street children's project, Island of the Children, located in the neighborhood of Salvador da Bahia, vulnerable children and adolescents learn, eat and relax in a protected environment. Our goal is to protect children from street life and its dangers and to give them opportunities for a better future.
Ninety-Three children and adolescents attend the center every day; they receive balanced meals and are lovingly cared for by educators and psychologists. In addition to targeted general education such as reading and writing and English, the children receive extra tutoring. They also participate in various sporting, artistic and cultural activities. Dancing and role-playing help children to develop their personality and develop self-confidence. Gradually they manage to cope with their traumatic experiences.
The Island of the Children urgently needs a new schoolroom and school furniture. There are a great many children in need and with a new classroom we can offer 24 more children safe haven and possibilities to improve their future. We have plans for an outdoor education classroom that will host even more targeted programs and future professional training.
Sri Lanka - Sponsorship and Buddhist convent school
When the Tsunami in 2004 ripped the world into great distress, the Sri Lankan people experienced a great tragedy. A multitude of families in Southern Sri Lanka not only lost family members but their entire existence. The Island infrastructure is still precarious and methods to generate income are tenuous at best. With our 50 sponsorships we help the children of the deserted village Salyapura who live in abject poverty. We provide the children and their families with water, food and clothing and ensure that the children can regularly attend school.
In a small Buddhist convent school another 50 orphans have found a new home with the help of WCTAG Helps. They receive quality education as much as they receive love, support and confidence in a protected and safe environment.
Please help us give these children a chance on their childhood and for a brighter future! Thank you!
Latest project news
Newsletter WCTAG Hilft 2024 - 4th Quarter
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What an incredible year we have experienced together! Every achievement reached, every challenge overcome, all of it was only possible because you believed in us and stood by our side. You are the beating heart of our mission, and we find it hard to put into words just how much your trust and generosity mean to us.
With Christmas around the corner, we renew our hope to accomplish even more. This is the moment to come together once again and turn signs of affection into real impact. Your donation, made through the link below, will be the fuel that helps us continue writing inspiring and transformative stories.
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART...IT'S CHRISTMAS – CLICK AND DONATE!
We would like to share with you the achievements and special moments of 2024. Each of these moments is the result of our efforts and teamwork, which inspire and strengthen us daily to become even better.
The children’s festival was an unforgettable day, full of games, storytelling, gifts, and a delicious meal. Every activity was designed to create joy and connection, and foster an atmosphere of happiness and hospitality. The children had so much fun and experienced a day that will remain in their memories forever. The impact of this event was enormous, bringing moments of happiness and unity to all those involved.
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Our year-end children's presentation was an event full of affection and community, marking the end of another year filled with great activities. During the celebration, we had the opportunity to share the results of the workshops and courses conducted throughout the year. Children and young people touched everyone with their theater, music, and art performances, showing their talents and the dedication with which they participated in the activities.
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It was an honor for us to welcome Master Jan Silberstorff, one of the two founding members of the Island of Children as well as the international umbrella organization WCTAG Hilft, to our project and to our year-end children's presentation. He regularly visits the organization to see the results of the workshops and the work we do. Our children were thrilled and beamed with joy at his presence, and he watched everything with shining eyes and pride. We also thank our sponsors, Brigitte and Friedrich-Wilhelm Werner, whose continuous support is so important for the development and sustainability of the Island of Children organization.
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We successfully participated in the BTG-Soma Educação program! Out of more than 400 organizations in Brazil, the "Island of Children" was selected to take part in an entrepreneurship consulting program. The invitation came from one of the largest Latin American banks, BTG Pactual, and the educational organization Ago Social. After months of intense learning and personal development, we successfully completed the training. It has equipped us with many important tools to continuously improve our organization. Now we are putting what we have learned into practice, with the goal of doing even more professional work and sustainably helping more children, young people, and families. This is a milestone that strengthens our commitment to shaping a fairer and more promising future!
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We are deeply grateful for the wonderful initiatives from the students of the University of Uniasselvi, who made "Solidary Christmas 2024" an unforgettable moment for the Island of Children. Thanks to this campaign, more than 70 children received toys and school supplies, filling their days with joy and lighting up our hearts with hope. It was moving to experience the teamwork and solidarity that brought so many people together to make this dream come true. We sincerely thank all those involved, including the partner companies that believed in the cause. You made a real difference by turning Christmas into a moment of magic and renewal for our children.
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Our second beach cleanup action of the year was a true symbol of commitment and environmental awareness. Students, parents, and supporters worked side by side, not only transforming the landscape but also strengthening the sense of unity and collective responsibility. We were filled with pride to see the enthusiasm of the students, the commitment of our partners, and the unconditional support of everyone involved, which renewed our hope for better days. We thank everyone who was part of this journey and strengthened our commitment to environmental protection and our community once again. Together, we are building a more sustainable future!
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We had an inspiring afternoon with our youth, Alex and Inês, who hosted the open studio tours at Sacatar with so much dedication and enthusiasm. The partnership with Instituto Sacatar gave our young people the opportunity to experience and share the creative process with impressive artists such as Ann Mary Gollifer, Dazaun Soleyn, Fernanda Costa, Geralyn Shukwit, Helene Bertin, and Julien Discrit. This experience strengthened our community by bringing new cultural and artistic perspectives. We sincerely thank the Instituto Sacatar and the artists for their generosity in sharing their works with us, which broadened our horizons and inspired everyone involved.
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Throughout the year, we have experienced groundbreaking moments that reaffirm the importance of each and every one of you on our journey. Whether through financial support, partnerships, encouraging words, or other help – each gesture has enabled us to strengthen our work and reignite the hope of many children and their families.
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Thank you for joining us on this journey! You turn dreams into reality and motivate us to continue having a positive impact on our community.
Here's to a 2025 filled with more successes!
With heartfelt greetings,
Team Island of Children.
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Contact
Rendsburger Str. 14
20359
Hamburg
Germany
