In memory of a wonderful member

Today, we received heartbreaking news: Ernst Nodes, a deeply empathetic and dedicated member of our association, has suddenly passed away. Sadly, he didn't fulfill his wish to visit Burundi before his 80th birthday. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. We find solace in cherishing the wonderful moments we shared, especially at the recent Würth OpenAir and throughout his years of commitment.

MANY THANKS TO ALL DONORS AND HELPERS!

28 and 29 JUNE 2024: a magical Würth Open Air! 

We were once again able to take part in the Open Air 2024 with our cup deposit campaign.  With Nico Santos, Lena, Leony, Ronan Keating, Susi Quatro and other international musicians, we were on site for two days with around 20 volunteers and were able to accept numerous cup donations.

This campaign secures a large part of our income and, thus, the quality of life of many old, needy, abandoned people in Africa, for whom we are committed.

Our thanks also go to Würth GmbH&CoKG and Panorama Catering for this great opportunity to support our residents in Africa!

A NEW BOARD WAS ELECTED ! 

This year's general meeting took place on Friday 9.2.24 in Öhringen (headquarters of the association) at 18.30. The long-standing board was bid farewell, a new board was elected. We are very much looking forward to the new impulses! and ... sizzling moments ; ) 

You can find the minutes of the general meeting here. 

What a pleasure to finally be able to meet our friends and supporters in person in Burundi again after years of the pandemic!

We were able to spend a few days at the beginning of October getting an idea of the current situation on the ground.

Conclusion: our old, sick people in the hospice are doing well - according to the circumstances - many of them recognized us - the emotions went through the roof : ))

A short article about the trip, in Spanish and German, here

After a three-year break due to the pandemic, two members of our association were once again able to visit Burundi, taking a look at the current situation. Agnes B. and Nicolas M. traveled to Bujumbura, Burundi, for a few days in February 2023 - mandated by the General Assembly.

The focus of the trip was on evaluating the previous collaboration with our local partners and jointly considering how to shape future collaboration.  In addition, the accounts of the local projects were carefully checked and donations from Germany were handed over. We would particularly like to thank Rats Apotheke and Modehaus Frank Öhringen for this.

During their trip, the members noted that our aid was able to achieve sustainable improvements for the supported facilities and people despite the adverse circumstances in Burundi (rising prices, tense political situation).

A big donation of the company Adolf Würth GmbH & CoKG enables us to build a henhouse and buy some chickens. Thus, we aim to provide the elderly with eggs which provide an important source of protein. 

Anything that is beyond the consumption of the residents shall be used as a source of income to the sustainable preservation of the facility.

The poorest county in the world is getting even poorer, the inflation is rising and so are prices.

Since the pandemic has started, our help at site concentrates on the essentials: We support the hospice with food, medication, and financial support of running expenses. Thanks to our partner Xaveri who allows us to visit the old and sick regularly. Some fresh nutrients, medication, and patches. Wood, Water and electricity. Surviving. Since May 2023, our children and youth belonging to Kaveri have been able to visit the hospice again.

This is Pontien (on the right of the picture). He is our new security advisor for the hospice. As an old partner and well-known colleague of our local Xaveri friends, he visited the hospice once a week and advised it on general security (crime) and administrative issues. We paid him a symbolic amount for this. In today's Burundi, it is very valuable for the sisters to protect themselves against robberies, assaults, minor and major corruption. 

Unfortunately, Pontien has been imprisoned without charge since September 2020. We continue to support him with vital medicines that are hard to find in Burundi.

We promote interaction with children and youth as well as accompanying the inhabitants with regular visits, conducted by our partner Xaveri.

The hospice is hosting different parties every year, e.g. the beginning of October, the "day of the elderly" is celebrated. This traditional day is celebrated with dancing, music and delicious meals which have been prepared by our partner Xaveri in advance.