Zur deutschen Version

Reiner Meutsch & FLY & HELP: How a Vision Changes the World

by Marieke Hoppe

The image depicts a heartwarming scene of an older man surrounded by numerous children, all gathered around him with their faces filled with joy and admiration. In the foreground, the man, dressed in a white polo shirt, is seen leaning down to engage with the children. The majority of them are wearing blue shirts, while some wear yellow or red tops. Their hands are extended towards the man, conveying a sense of warmth and connection. Behind the crowd, two men can be seen standing near the top left corner of the image. One of them is reaching out with his right arm to touch the head of one of the children. The group appears to be situated outside a building that resembles a school or church, set against an overcast sky. The overall atmosphere of the image exudes warmth and kindness, as the older man's gentle demeanor and the children's enthusiastic reception create a sense of harmony and mutual respect. — © Reiner Meutsch Stiftung FLY & HELP 2023

FLY & HELP inspires hope and transformation for places int the world, where education is more a privilege rather than a right. Founded by Reiner Meutsch, a former managing partner of the tour operator Berge & Meer, this foundation is on a mission to make education accessible to children in developing countries.

The Genesis of a Dream

Reiner Meutsch’s journey began as an adventure, a fulfillment of a lifelong dream to fly around the world in a small plane. But it was not just about the thrill of flying; it was about making a difference. In January 2010, Meutsch took off on a global journey, visiting and supporting aid projects in countries like Ghana, Rwanda, India, Indonesia, and Brazil. This was the catalyst for the creation of the Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP in 2009.

The image shows a man kneeling in front of a large group of children, with his hands raised in the air. The scene appears to be set in an outdoor location, possibly a school or community center. * A man is kneeling in front of a group of children: + The man has short white hair and is wearing a white polo shirt. + He is kneeling on one knee, with his other leg bent at the knee. + His hands are raised in the air, palms facing upwards. * The children are all wearing green uniforms: + They are standing behind the man, forming a semi-circle around him. + Each child has their arms raised in the air, mirroring the man's pose. + Their green uniforms appear to be identical, suggesting that they may be students at a single school or institution. Overall, the image suggests that the man is some kind of authority figure or leader, perhaps a teacher or principal, who is interacting with and inspiring the children. The fact that they are all raising their hands in unison adds to the sense of unity and cooperation among them.

A Mission Rooted in Empathy

Having traveled extensively during his professional career, Meutsch was acutely aware of the disparities that exist in many tourist destinations. “Many dream destinations do not offer dream working and living conditions to the locals,” he says. This realization was particularly poignant when it came to children who lacked access to education. It was this gap that FLY & HELP aimed to bridge.

The Core Objective: Promoting Education

The primary focus of FLY & HELP is to advance education by building new schools in developing countries. The initial five projects undertaken during Meutsch’s global circumnavigation were just the beginning. To date, the foundation has realized more than 650 school projects with a total funding of approximately 34 million Euros. These new buildings have enabled thousands of children in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to attend school, laying the foundation for a future where they can make their own decisions and plan for themselves.

The Mechanics: 100% Impact

One of the most compelling aspects of FLY & HELP is its commitment to ensuring that every cent of the donations it receives goes directly into its educational projects. The administrative costs are entirely covered by Reiner Meutsch and sponsors, ensuring that 100% of all donations are invested in creating a meaningful impact.

The image depicts a group of people, including children, posing for a photo in front of a wall adorned with graffiti-style artwork. In the foreground, two rows of individuals stand together, smiling at the camera. The first row consists of adults, while the second row comprises children and young teenagers, some barefoot and others wearing sandals or shoes. A few individuals wear white shirts, while others sport various colored tops and bottoms. One person in the back row is crouching down to be closer to a child. The background features a light blue wall with black graffiti-style artwork depicting palm trees, buildings, a cartoon drawing of a man's head, and text written in Portuguese. The overall atmosphere suggests a family or community event, possibly a gathering for children.

The work of FLY & HELP serves as a classic example of the ripple effect. Each school that is built becomes a hub of community development. The children who attend these schools receive not just an education but a renewed sense of purpose and a vision for what they can achieve. As these children grow up to become educated, empowered adults, they, in turn, become agents of change, uplifting their communities and, by extension, the world.

FLY & HELP is a movement aimed at leveling the playing field and giving every child, regardless of their circumstances, a fair shot at a bright future. It shows us that when it comes to making a difference, every little bit counts, and that education is the most potent tool we have in building a better world.

Find out more about FLY & HELP projects on the Website fly-and-help.de

DAS!: Reiner Meutschs Vision: Bildung in Entwicklungsländer bringen

via ardmediathek.de

Landesschau Rheinland-Pfalz: Reiner Meutsch setzt sich für die Bildung von Kindern ein

via ardmediathek.de

Stiftung RTL und FLY & HELP: Eine neue Schule in Namibia

via www.rtl.de

RTL-Beitrag FLY & HELP “Die 25 abgefahrensten Wege, sein Leben neu leben”

via youtube.com

You know an inspiring Person, Initiative, Social Business, or Foundation?

We’d love to hear from you! By sharing your tips, you help us broaden their reach and raise awareness for their cause. Join our community in celebrating those making a positive impact. Let’s create a collection of remarkable stories and highlight the people and initiatives driving change. Together, we can make a difference.

Submit your Recommendations and be Part of the Change