My Time in the Student Company

My name is Simon Unkauf, and I was a member of the student company “Upendo Tamu” for several years. Since 2022, I have been actively involved in the organization, which supports schools in the slums of Nairobi. In 11th grade, I also had the opportunity to take on the role of managing director for a year – and with it, greater responsibility.

At our weekly meetings, we planned projects together, exchanged ideas, and implemented them step by step. In doing so, we learned not only to take on responsibility, but also how important good teamwork is.

To raise money for our projects, we organized sales at school events and bazaars. We also held fundraising campaigns and sought out new sponsors.

A particular highlight for me was the annual three-day retreat on Fraueninsel. There, we were able to reflect on our work and exchange ideas with other schools through online conferences. The direct contact with our partner schools in Kenya was especially exciting. Through video conferences, we were able to not only share ideas but also build personal connections.

The culmination of my time in the student company was the three-week trip to Kenya in May/June 2025 as part of a social internship. On site, I was able to experience the daily lives of the students firsthand. This experience has permanently changed my perspective on education, living conditions, and global inequalities.

Looking back, working in the student company has had a profound personal impact on me. I have learned to work more independently, to take on responsibility, and to approach new people and cultures with an open mind. My time at “Upendo Tamu” was a great enrichment – an experience that will surely stay with me for a long time to come.