Mentoring programme Balu und Du  

The nationwide mentoring programme Balu und Du supports primary school children in extracurricular activities and contributes to more equal opportunities. In Karlsruhe, it is organised at the ‘Studium Generale. Forum Science and Society (FORUM)’ of the KIT (formerly ZAK) as an interdisciplinary service-learning programme. Dedicated students (‘Balus’) volunteer to sponsor a child (‘Mogli’) for a year and give them one to three hours of attention and care once a week. Together they discover new activities and learning stimuli. In this way, students can help children to develop their interests and strengths and to develop positively in our society. A large number of scientific evaluations show the lasting effectiveness of the programme for everyone involved.

The students record their experiences in an online diary, receive training in an accompanying seminar at the FORUM and are supported through exchange and counselling. Among other things, they benefit from gaining social and self-organisational skills. 
Participation is compulsory for two semesters and is certified by a certificate of volunteering and a certificate of achievement. Teacher trainees can alternatively receive a certificate for the social work placement.

The next Balu-und-Du year will start in the summer semester of 2025, and students of the Karlsruhe University of Music are also welcome to participate! If you are interested, please contact the programme coordinator at the FORUM directly to find out whether there are still places available and whether you can submit your application form.

Students of the University of Music are also very welcome!