Learning Mentors Project "No One Must Be Left Behind"

The learning mentor project "No One Should Be Left Behind" in Rhineland-Palatinate supports non-profit organizations and educational institutions in comprehensively training volunteer mentors to best accompany primary school children from disadvantaged life situations – including refugee children. The focus is on promoting intercultural competence, trauma-informed pedagogical approaches, and mindful self-awareness. The project offers a multi-stage training program in which participants not only learn subject-specific content but also develop personal coping and communication strategies. In this way, the mentors are enabled to provide the children with a safe environment, support their individual development, and sustainably promote their school integration.

Within the framework of the project, practical modules are offered that range from theoretical foundations to concrete exercise instructions – whether in mindfulness training, trauma-informed interventions, or intercultural exchange. The training content introduces diverse methods and approaches that address dealing with stress, burdens, and traumatic experiences. It also focuses on developing empathy, recognizing and naming one's own feelings, as well as mindful handling of individual boundaries. By teaching methods such as body scan, meditation, and targeted breathing exercises, mentors are equipped with a toolkit that strengthens their own resilience and lays the foundation for empathetic interaction with the children they support.

Furthermore, the project promotes intercultural dialogue and supports integration by emphasizing the importance of language, cultural values, and social norms. The trainings encourage questioning prejudices, dismantling stereotypes, and developing a deep understanding of cultural differences. Through regular group exchanges and interactive exercises, mentors learn how to practice open and appreciative communication in their daily lives. Overall, the learning mentor project aims to set sustainable impulses for education, integration, and social cohesion in Rhineland-Palatinate through qualified training and diverse support offerings.