About Us.
Fundamental values are consolidated in significant phases of life and form the profound basis for a life in abundance. For this reason, we support young people from all walks of life to acquire basic values and tools for later life. This increases their self-esteem and their experience of self-efficacy and gives them security for life. It also helps them to feel that they are active and valuable contributors to society.
What We Do.
Our projects are designed in such a way that experiences for personal growth ("Enrich" in Austria and India) and support for re-entry into the school system are made possible ("Empower" especially in India).
The Upper Room would like to pick people up where they are and accompany them on their own individual paths. Young people are offered a space in which questions about life and faith can be discussed openly and they can discover and develop their innermost being.
The Upper Room creates space, where people can tell their story and look at questions of life. A room to uncover a well of never-ending water inside of them and to grow holistically through art and education. We encourage active commitment to help build a people- and relationship-oriented society with small impacts. In The Upper Room we accept each other as we are, live openness for dialogue between cultures and religions and celebrate diversity.
Our Values
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Creating a space for community and for sharing your story
We want to foster acceptance of every person along with our individual identities in the context of our ethnic diversity, religion, culture and spirituality and learn to listen to each other`s personal stories.
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Encouraging growth and cohesion
We want to encourage engagement and teamwork to contribute with small impacts toward a people-oriented society.
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Promoting openness and critical thinking
We want to create a space where people can share openly while maintaining an attitude of critical thinking in order to think about, identify and accept different perspectives.
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Celebrating diversity
We want to learn how to love each other the way we are, foster dialogue between religions and cultures and celebrate this rich diversity.
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Focusing on relationships and process orientation
People first is our motto and we want to cultivate a culture where individuals feel interconnected, enriched and empowered in their personal development.
Enrich.
Values are the fundamental basis that helps us to shape our future the way we want to experience it. The Upper Room supports the design and definition of a value system that plays the central role in the holistic development and growth of the participants. Such basic values are conveyed through a multitude of varied media such as interactive webinars, creative camps, musicals and many more. The personal motivation, character and attitude of an individual are addressed directly. So the feeling of a meaningful life can arise.
Empower.
Sometimes socio-economic circumstances force children and young adults in India to drop out of education early. Often they end up in alcohol and drug abuse, which is a dramatic obstacle to lifelong development . The Upper Room wants to offer financial and emotional help. We want to fill the socio-economic void and at the same time it is ensured that a constant exchange happens and the young people are supported in developing healthy behavior.
Meet The Team
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Georg Schaberger
Georg´s first hands-on encounter with India was during his one year of voluntary service in India. His passion and talent in composing music have brought many opportunities to use art as a means to work with youngsters and we´re excited about where this ambition may lead us in the future. Besides he oversees the finances and administrative work needed as an official organization with great precision. Both he and Anson love to encounter people and connect to people and connect people.
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Anson Samuel
Being born in India and working as a teacher in northeast India Anson has high sensitivity and understanding of the needs and culture in this area. His heart was stirred to bring people with different stories together and provide a safe space to discuss all kinds of topics in faith. When he moved to Austria to complete his studies his way crossed Georg´s. It didn´t take long for them to start developing ideas and dreams for a movement together. Back in 2016, he ran the first retreat in India together with a friend. We love his ability to put complex thoughts into beautiful dialogues, plays and camp songs.
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Judith Gramm
As the cousin of Georg, she knew about The Upper Room but her first commitment was to join the team for a camp in Northeast India in 2019. Ever since she helps by writing content and reports and translating to English and German. Together with Julia she is part of the PR Team and loves to find creative ways to best present and describe the work of The Upper Room. She assists in doing choreography for dances for the camps and musicals and loves to jump in wherever she can help.
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Oliver Heldwein
Olivier is the most recent newcomer to the Upper Room family. Due to his reliability and good expressiveness he is in charge of fundraising and communications. Thanks to his commitment and his own initiative a crucial part of the funding is covered. We love his straightforwardness and clear thinking.
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Julia Verbeek
As a student of cultural and social anthropology and religious studies, my interest lies in people and what moves them in their lives and brings them together. Above all, the interreligious and intercultural dialogue is in this sense a matter close to my heart. Whether traveling, in research or at work - getting to know new people and their culture and faith is one of the most beautiful experiences for me. With the know-how I have gathered so far, I now support The Upper Room in PR and public relations.
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Sarrah
Sarrah has studied abroad and completed two Masters in International Migration and Development Studies. She has worked a lot with youth and will support us with her communication and planning skills in her new responsibilities in participation and community building.
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Thomas Gramm
Since Thomas himself still goes to school he offers his free time whenever he can and tells beautiful stories with the pictures he takes of events and camps of The Upper Room. He assists in all matters concerning media and cuts clips for social media and YouTube. Thanks to his creative talents we have an everlasting record of the work of Upper Room.
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Andreas Schaberger
Our administrational and financial brain shares his years of experience in working in non-profit organisations with us. We are lucky to have such a diligent person who guides and supports us in matters of finances. But also for logistical needs and logical questions, we are happy that we can always count on him.
Meet The Staff
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Joktang
Joktang is one of the most important helping hands in India and it is easy to trust him since he´s always committed to his work faithfully. He assists and oversees the students and coordinates the team in Jairampur. Thanks to his reliability, flexibility and love for people a big part of the work at the hostel can be carried out smoothly.
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Premiko
Premiko has been part of the hostel staff in India since October 2020. In her we´ve found an allrounder: She teaches Hindi, social science, biology and arts. We love how passionate she is about her work and she´s constantly acquiring new skills for doing an even better job. Painting, dancing and gardening are some of her hobbies which is very convenient for our students.
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Wakim
Wakim became part of the hostel team in India in 2020 and has been teaching economics since then while taking good care of the boys as well. He loves to spend his free time with books and sports but always has an open ear for the students.
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Marina
Marina is one of our wardens at the hostel in India and is a great sister, friend and teacher especially for the girls. Her primary subject is English but generally she has a huge heart for the students also outside the classroom. We´re thankful that she decided to join the team in February 2021.
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Tehon
Tehon is making his first experiences in being a teacher at the hostel. We´re thankful that without any hesitation he committed to joining the team because he is a very spirited learner. His versatile gifts are a great benefit for the youth and other staff. Not only does he love sports especially football but is also passionate about writing.
