Having watched student after student trip over the same crumbling pavement while walking from the main school building to the cafeteria, Niyazi and his friends decided to form Germany’s first Youth Venture team. Originally from Turkey, their mission is to repair all the damaged areas of the campus, while also teaching fellow class mates the brick-working trade. Students can then use their new skills to secure a job that will assist with college tuition and expenses.

Understanding the unique challenges facing non natives, these young pioneers felt it was imperative to find a socially conscious way of helping other settlers learn new technical trades. Niyazi and his friends believe such new skills will make them more competitive candidates inside a German community facing high unemployment rates. Their hope is to expand the project outwards and start running the same scheme in five other schools next year.

Youth Venturer, Niyazi and his friends
Photo and story: Courtesy of Kyle Taylor