The way abroad
The Heppner family is an institution in Wildenhain - with an agricultural business, a butcher's shop and a beautiful farm shop. Katja Wiedner (born Heppner) grew up in Skassa and attended the secondary school “Am Schacht” in Grossenhain. When Katja finished school in 1998, the search for an apprenticeship, unlike today, was a difficult undertaking. The crisis in the training market seemed to be continuing. Like many others, Katja decided to apply “in the West”. She received an apprenticeship contract at a butcher's shop in Schillingsfürst. “I just wanted to do my apprenticeship and then come back. It was clear to me from the start”, says Katja Wiedner in retrospect.
Her future husband Tino attended the same school as Katja by birth. After finishing school, Tino went to the West. “It was simply not possible to find an apprenticeship here. We actually had no other choice.” Tino started his apprenticeship as a car mechanic in Ansbach, Bavaria, two years earlier than his wife. Ansbach is only 20 km from Schillingsfürst. The proximity of the two places finally brought the couple together.
The connection to friends and family remains
On a home visit, Tino and Katja met with friends. The conversation started and Katja was happy about the coincidence that Tino lived in the immediate vicinity. They agreed to form a car pool, fell in love and a short time later they moved in together. In 2000, Tino had left school. He immediately got an employment contract. “The earnings were excellent. No comparison with the earning opportunities at home”, Tino says. Katja confirmed. With the end of her apprenticeship, she was taken over. “We both earned much better than our friends back home. Suddenly going back was no longer an option.” In 2003 the two married. They built up a circle of friends. Tino was involved in the local volunteer fire department. Katja was trainer of the guard and show dance group of the local carnival club.
The longing for family and home is growing
Little Nick was born in 2005. Until then, the family did not know that this little man would be an important reason for the return. The parents decided to build a house. In retrospect not a really good decision, because the plot was pretty small with 400 m². “Our heart was not really attached to this house. We knew that we could sell it at any time without any problems”, recalls Katja Wiedner.
Little Nick soon showed his parents where the heart of the family beats. He loved being with grandma and grandpa in Wildenhain, driving grandpas tractor or having grandma to cook for him” When we drove back to Schillingsfürst, Nick cried till Chemnitz.” And the great-grandfather was also attached to the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren. “He would never have said anything, but it hurt that we weren't around him”, confirms Tino Wiedner.
So the thought of a return slowly matured. “We particularly missed the parents and grandparents when we needed childcare for the evenings. Then friends were asked, but always with a guilty conscience. Our parents or grandparents would have been happy to take care of the children.” The family went to Wildenhain on many weekends and during the holidays and the idea of returning became stronger. “But I first had to have a job here and sell the Schillingsfürster house”, recalls Tino. “We were also very well integrated in Bavaria. There was always a wavering between the firm decision and the doubts as to whether the withdrawal would succeed.”
First return plans and application efforts
Tino started applying for Grossenhain in the region. At the same time, Katja built up her own business. She became team leader at ProWin. The company produces and sells natural cosmetics and wellness products as well as in-house purity products. “The company totally convinced me. I am an absolute natural person. I have learned to use natural resources sparingly and to take good care of my own health from an early age. As an independent team leader, I have the opportunity to perfectly combine family and work - perfect for a mother.”
Back home
Little Nelja was born on April 12, 2013. Exactly a year later, Tino received an employment contract as a machine operator at the Kronospan company in Lampertswalde.
The family moved with a 40-tonne semitrailer - to the "Platte" on the Grossenhain shaft. “For us it was only a temporary solution”. In Bauda near Wildenhain they had already reserved their dream property - in an unobstructed location with a view of the forest and fields. Finally, the property in Schillingsfürst was sold. Construction of the dream house in Bauda began in June 2015 and the family moved in just six months later.
In the meantime, Tino started working as a logistician for the Behrens-Wölk company in Grossenhain. “I still had the application in hand and hoped that with the completion of the logistics center in Grossenhain I would have the chance to work there”, Tino says. Managing Director Ronny Klemm is a returnee himself and the two men were immediately on the same line. Tino has been working for the company since May 2015 and feels very comfortable. Great-grandfather Horst was probably the happiest about the family's return. He once said “You finally got where you belong, girl”, Katja recalls. Last winter Horst died, knowing that the grandchildren and great-grandchildren are back home. A consolation for Katja and Tino and the certainty that they still had time together.
Interview and text: Kristina Kroemke