Maren Kogge (left) and Jule Rombey are volunteering with their projects "Colorful Crafts" and "Handwerk hilft" (Handicrafts Help). (Photo: © private)
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July 1, 2024
Two strong women with strong messages: In this conversation, Maren Kogge and Jule Rombey share their experiences and talk about their wishes, future projects, and goals.
Maren Kogge is a master church painter in Amerang. Jule Rombey is a master carpenter in Selfkant. Both impressed the judges at ' Miss and Mister Crafts ' and won the competition – Jule in 2020, Maren in 2023. And both have a clear mission in mind: to do good.
"Our social commitment is multifaceted," Maren begins the conversation. With the initiative " Buntes Handwerk " (Colorful Crafts), which she founded, the master church painter champions solidarity , tolerance , equality , and human rights . "My motivation for participating in 'Miss and Mister Handwerk' also stemmed from this: I knew that if I won the title, it would be more than just wearing a sash – because I've always wanted to make a difference ."
"The best thing about the competition is simply that it unites people who want to champion craftsmanship – you don't even have to win to benefit from it, to take something away, and to make a difference," Jule agrees. "You get to know new people and can team up with them and create something great ." The master carpenter is part of the 'Colorful Crafts' initiative and also leads another project that supports children in need: 'Crafts Helps ', also known as ' #TeamCraftsHelps '.
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Regarding 'Colorful Crafts', Maren explains: "We are all passionate about this project – everyone has their own personal story about why they are part of it. Be it a friend, a sister, or someone you know who has experienced discrimination . But also the awareness that you have witnessed something like this before or experienced it yourself. We are a 'safe space' where everyone can say what they want and is welcome."
"We have linked 'Colorful Crafts' and 'Crafts Helps' in such a way that one project can draw on the other. This allows us to reach even more people and, in the best case, gain as many supporters as possible ," adds Jule.
"We really took a big risk and invested a lot of time and private funds to make 'Colorful Crafts' possible in the first place," Maren says about her volunteer initiative . "Last year, we started right away with a 40-ton truck for Christopher Street Day in Cologne . But we don't want to be reduced to just CSD; we want to focus our attention on blind spots in society – we want to look where no one else looks, or where it might even hurt to look."
Last year, part of the group involved in the 'Colorful Crafts' project – including Maren and Jule – traveled to Rwanda to work with Rwandan vocational school students on a project run by the EURwanda Handcraft Foundation, expanding a children's and youth center . "This year we're doing something in Germany, and next year we'll be abroad again – the plan is to alternate these activities each year ," explains the church painter. "And of course, anyone interested in such projects can apply on their own initiative, even if they're not part of the 'Colorful Crafts' group."
Furthermore, the members of 'Buntes Handwerk' (Colorful Crafts) want to further their education in the area of diversity . "One of our colleagues is training to become a diversity manager . We plan to offer workshops for business owners and employees ." The focus will be on fostering a sense of safety and well-being in the workplace . "Of course, we don't want to judge anyone," Maren clarifies. "This concept of safety simply needs to be more widely accepted. Through these workshops, we want to engage in dialogue with people to learn their opinions and answer their questions. We also hope to establish closer ties with the Chambers of Skilled Crafts."
Maren smiles as she recounts the HWK Dortmund Photo Award , where 'Buntes Handwerk' (Colorful Crafts) was present as a driving force: "For the first time, a chamber of crafts has organized a diversity photo competition and aims to make precisely these people in the crafts visible – be they people with disabilities, people with a refugee background, or people of all possible ethnicities and religions. A groundbreaking representation of diversity and a great pioneer in the field of diversity."
Become a sponsor, supporter or future memberThe 'Colorful Crafts' initiative becomes a non-profit organization"We are currently waiting for our association to be registered. Our founding team of eight people is delighted when people from the trades are interested in member to become to engage socially or at the CSD – whether in Munich, Cologne, Berlin or Hamburg – to be there," says Maren. In addition, Sponsors and Supporters Welcome to the project.
Who one Become part of the whole can contact @bunteshandwerk Report on Instagram!
"As part of the 'Miss and Mister Crafts' competition, I was invited to a career fair in Frankfurt (Oder) in 2020 ," Jule recalls, looking back on the beginnings of 'Crafts Helps'. "There, I became aware of the 'Students Cycle for Crafts' fundraising campaign . That's when I realized I wanted to start something of my own ."
Ultimately, a total of 105 students participated in the event organized by Jule, cycling and raising funds. "I also wanted to introduce them to the trades , so we set up some craft-related games at the end of the route. Afterwards, some parents called our company to thank us for the experience. Since then, we've held this event annually on World Children's Day, September 20th , where we volunteer to promote young talent and collect donations for regional projects ."
Last year, the team behind 'Handwerk hilft' (Crafts Helps) decided to support the Kinderchancentafel (Children's Opportunities Board) in Oberbruch . "The school we collaborated with is a UNESCO school and already supports the board. We found the connection to the Kinderchancentafel to be a perfect fit, because the day of action works so that the students – essentially with every nail they hammer in – raise funds," explains Jule. The Kinderchancentafel's facilities provide care and support for children affected by poverty , giving them a future.
"During our last fundraising day, we presented the Children's Opportunities Board with a handcrafted wooden house and €5.600 in donations ," explains the carpenter. The money raised will be used for a renovation and expansion of the board . "But we want to do more . We recently completed a successful crowdfunding campaign , and this year we'll be holding numerous events to benefit the Children's Opportunities Board , with support from both individuals and companies ." And who better to lend a hand with this project than "Handwerk hilft" (Crafts Help) and "Buntes Handwerk" (Colorful Crafts)? "We'll be actively involved in the renovation, providing hands-on support ," Jule emphasizes.
Become part of '#TeamHandwerkHilft'Everyone – whether as On Site Team or Company – is cordially invited, as is the To support the team around 'Handwerk hilft'And of course everyone is welcome to join us next Action day on 20 September 2024 "We want to give the children and young people a Step into a better future enable, are actively involved and are constantly collecting donations," says Jule.
Prospective can contact us directly @handwerk.hilft Report on Instagram!DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!
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