Photo: polylux e.V./Jakob Regin

Almost every child knows the story of Mogli and his friend Balu, the bear from Kipling’s Jungle Book. Kipling’s story about friendship and adventure inspired the name of a nation-wide mentoring program, “Balu and You”, in over 100 locations in Germany. The initiative, founded in 2002, matches little Moglis (elementary school-age children) with a Balu (a reliable adult mentor).

Young adult volunteers, usually university students majoring in education, agree to mentor a child for a one-year period. The children are recommended for the program by their elementary school teachers. The program aims to help promote positive development in children who suffer from isolation, neglect, or mobbing, or who demonstrate aggressive behavior. The basis of the mentorship is a weekly meeting between the child and the volunteer; together, they shape their free time together and learn from one another. The needs, talents, interests, and problems of the 6- to 10-year old children form are kept in focus and are taken seriously. The program gives the children strength and stability for their daily lives.

This personalized support is the real strength of the program, says Silvia Eller, the responsible project manager at SAGST. The program is run by the non-profit organization polylux in Neubrandenburg. “One-on-one mentoring, like that offered by Balu and You, produces very effective results, because it is focused on the individual child and meets the child where he or she is – especially children in weak social circumstances,” said Eller.