150 years the rough house Hamburg - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1983 - 80 Pfennig

150 years ago, in 1833, the Protestant theologian Johann Hinrich Wichern founded "Das Rauhe Haus" in an old peasant kate on the outskirts of Hamburg to look after children who were in misery and endangered. Johann Hinrich Wichern recognized the plight of the children in Hamburg's slums. They roamed the city, trying to make a living by begging, stealing and prostitution. On September 12, 1833 Wichern found in the Hamburg Stock Exchange, the support of many distinguished citizens. Now he was able to create a home for the children in the old peasant kate on the outskirts of the city and teach them lessons and education. Through Wichern and his co-workers, Das Rauhe Haus became a model for the Diakonie der Evangelischen Kirche and the »Brunnenstube« of the Inner Mission. During the bombing in July 1943, 25 of the 29 houses in the Rauhen House were destroyed by incendiary bombs. Friends, promoters and donors helped to rebuild the Rough House despite their own economic difficulties. As a legal foundation under civil law, the Rauhe Haus serves with its various departments exclusively and directly charitable, benevolent and ecclesiastical purposes. It does so without distinction of confession, religion and social status. The Rough House Foundation works on the basis of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "If you do not behave yourself, you'll end up in the rough house!" That's how many Hamburg children used to be threatened by their parents. But since its founding no child is taken up against his will in the rough house. Forgiveness, trust and acceptance are the foundation of this Christian institution. It is not possible to determine exactly where the name "rough house" came from. One presumption is that it was derived from the previous owner of the Old House, the gardener Ruge. Even today, the Rauhen Haus looks after children and adolescents in health and special needs homes as well as in family living groups. The Wichern School is a state-approved Protestant private school, which includes Volksschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. It is one of the few schools in Hamburg, where religious education is consistently given from elementary school to high school. Many old people live in the Rauhen house because they can no longer live alone with their lives. 600 old people receive lunch in the urban area of ​​Hamburg through the meal service. 70 geriatric nurses are trained at the Protestant vocational school for home and elderly care. The Diakonenanstalt of the Rauhen Haus is the carrier of the Protestant University of Applied Sciences for Social Education. This training is designed to empower diaconal work in churches and communities. The Brotherhood is made up of 380 women and men who have chosen this ministry. The agency of the Rauhen Haus mainly produces books and writings for community work. Help for children's, confirmands and elderly work can be found in the program as well as songs and prayer books, gift books for the sick, old and lonely. For 150 years, the Rauhe house is supported by a circle of friends and donors in loyal solidarity. The face of the Rough House has changed since 1833. New tasks and fields of work have been added. The problems of children and old people have become different as well. But there are two things left: the Christian faith, which moves people to help others, and the certainty that friends are always making this help their own and supporting it. (Text: The Rough House, Hamburg)