The European football association UEFA has Agapedia Foundation for Children, Social Affairs and Educationfrom Jürgen Klinsmann was honoured as the winner of the UEFA Foundation for Children Award 2021. The DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger suggested the Agepedia Foundation.
The house in Ulmer Straße, number 29/2 in Esslingen am Neckar, only reveals its charm at second glance. Second row, almost hidden, a few steps to the left, right and right again, the garden lies hidden behind a magical gate.
A little paradise. In which sits today Jürgen Klinsmann in the sun and eats. The 57-year-old is certainly trying. Admittedly, with moderate success. In none of his 108 international matches has it been so difficult to stay on the ball.
Aid project has existed for 25 years
A birthday is being celebrated. The 25th anniversary of a special aid project to which the 1990 world champion, together with his childhood friend Stefan Barth and his wife Marika, has dedicated himself since 1995 - Agapedia. The name of the foundation is made up of the Greek word „Agape“ (love) and the ancient Greek „Pedia“ (children).
Since then, children have been the focus of two aid centres in Germany and facilities for abandoned children and orphans in four countries in Eastern Europe, such as Romania, Georgia, Moldova and Bulgaria.
Today, the centres train supervisors and carers. Volunteers from all over Europe complete the team to teach children social values through play or simply to give them space for themselves, free from the pressure of expectations.
Aid centres for abandoned children and orphans
The place is full in Esslingen. Even more than usual on this day, when more than 60 children between the ages of six and twelve come every day to spend their free time in a meaningful way, away from the strictly timetabled school day.
World champion colleague Guido Buchwald is always there when the father of the foundation, Mr Klinsmann, is unavailable. Eric Gauthier, a world-renowned Canadian choreographer and ballet dancer, has brought his three children with him.
Plus the large crew of passionate Agapedia supporters, many fellow campaigners and guests. These include Tobias Wrzesinski, Managing Director of the DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger, which for decades has been committed to sustainably supporting aid projects around the world.
Winner of the UEFA Foundation for Children Award 2021
This time, the Sepp Herberger Foundation has opened its doors to UEFA. The European football association has chosen the Agapedia Foundation for Children, Social Affairs and Education as the winner of the UEFA Foundation for Children Award 2021.
In return, he receives a cheque for 53,000 euros, signed by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. Klinsmann accepts the cheque, visibly moved and at a loss for words. „Thank you,“ he says briefly. He speaks of pride and says: „25 years is a long way. This longevity gives you credibility.“
„We at the DFB appreciate what they all do,“ says Tobias Wrzesinski, representing the DFB, which has been a partner of the Agapedia Foundation for many years. „This is one of the reasons why we nominated their project for the award at UEFA,“ says Wrzesinski.
Marika Barth is even more emotional and recounts the beginnings of 1994 with tears in her eyes. The German national team is visiting Albania for a qualifying match. The Barths are in charge of a project in the capital Tirana. Stefan Barth invites his schoolmate from the old days.
Klinsmann: „The project was exactly what I was looking for“
„The project was exactly what I was looking for, something that wasn't anonymous,“ says Klinsmann, contributing his ideas. The pioneering spirit of the now 57-year-old and the inexhaustible dedication of the Barths resulted in an aid project spanning many countries.
Not only the proceeds from „Klinsi's“ farewell match in 1999 flow into charity projects (half goes to Agapedia). A property in Geislingen will become the second German centre in 2019. The building in Esslingen, a kind of magical Villa Kunterbunt, is renovated for 1.3 million marks and continuously expanded. Without public funding.
Today, there are also a few alumni sitting in the garden who attended the project as children and are now parents themselves. According to the founders of the foundation, this is a very special emotional moment.
In the garden on Ulmer Straße, guests are amazed by magic tricks, artistic performances, singing and enjoy a colourful garden party with salads and tasty treats from the barbecue. Except for the Barths and Klinsmann. Instead of fortifying themselves after weeks of party planning, they talk, thank, motivate and reminisce. And they plan new projects, because Agapedia's heart never stops beating.
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