Poverty in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: When winter turns off the heating

Poverty in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: When winter turns off the heating

In the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, poverty is an issue that is often in the shade, but, however, as affected people are clear, is present in everyday life. Against the background of the upcoming international day against poverty on October 17, reports from people such as Marta Angerer, Helga Blochner and Herbert Körner have an urgent point of view of how diverse and painful poverty can be.

Marta Angerer, a 70-year-old pensioner, lives in modest conditions. Despite her tight pension, she receives state support to meet her basic needs. Your everyday life is strongly shaped by financial restrictions, especially when it comes to the necessary expenses for your car that is indispensable for you. Angerer often sits in her cold apartment because she hardly has the means to operate her heating in winter. She says that she can no longer afford the luxury of meat. Nevertheless, she does not feel as poor, which illustrates the subjectivity of poverty.

The reality of women in the region

is also affected by Helga Blochner, a four -time mother who struggles in the retail industry and in a mini job to supply her children. Despite hard work, her income is often perceived as inadequate, so that she is fighting for survival at the end of the month. Blochner bears the pressure to feed her family, and her inner suffering often remains hidden. Their inner tornness is summarized by the sentence: "My whole body cries, just not my eyes." The expectations of her as a strong woman are in contrast to her true feelings.

Herbert Körner also represents the challenges of poverty, which are reinforced by his disability. He often feels like an outsider, and the financial pressure makes it impossible for him to enjoy social activities such as stopping in mountain huts. His disability pension is not enough to live a self -determined life. The feeling of not having its place in society gnaws at its self -esteem.

The social demarcations and the stigma of poverty are discussed by Thomas Ehmke, a social consultant of Caritas. Ehmke has found that touch is often connected to the topic with shame, especially among older people. Many do not know what support they are entitled to, which further exacerbates their Situation. In his view, it is important to educate people about their opportunities to help them cope with their financial needs.

Statistical background to the risk of poverty

The definition of poverty is multifaceted in science. The Federal Statistical Office defines poverty as the presence of less than 60 percent of the average earnings in a country, which means around 1,200 euros net for single people for Germany. With increasing living costs, this number has experienced a dynamic development that affects numerous citizens in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. At the regional level, statistics of Caritas show alarming values: over 15 percent of the population are threatened by poverty in the dean's offices Werdenfels and Rottenbuch. These figures illustrate the urgency to address and address the topic of poverty in the region.

The individual dismay of poverty is clear by statements like that of Herbert Körner, which feels like the “last dirt”. This emotional and social isolation is a common feeling among those who can find themselves in poor conditions. It is essential to raise awareness of these topics and to have a broader discussion about it in order to provide those affected the support they urgently need.

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