October 2023: International team of dentists provides voluntary care for patients in Madagascar
Our international team of dentists, assistants and helpers will travel to Madagascar in October 2023 for Menschenfreude e.V. to provide dental care to hundreds of patients in several villages. For the mission, we created fundraisers to collect donations of money and materials. For example, as part of the official Dental Health Day (25.9.) and other occasions.
“People like you and organizations like yours are what we would need in every major city.” – Honored with Bonn Social Award
We are proud and grateful that our Menschenfreude board member and founder Jürgen Perteck was able to accept the Social Award of the Rotary Club Bonn-Rheinbrücke, which is endowed with 2,000€. Each year, the award honors outstanding personalities who are socially committed in the region and work on behalf of their fellow human beings. The award was presented by former mayor of Bonn Ashok Sridharan, who in his ceremonial speech paid special tribute to “the incredible commitment” shown “during the particularly cold phase of the year for people without a fixed abode.”
“A smile from many people” – A Menschenfreude team for the first time in Rwanda
We are in Rwanda. As a team of Menschenfreude e.V. we want to visit some ongoing projects and initiate some new ones to find out how we can make a difference for as many people as possible.
On the road in sub-zero temperatures – visits to people with no fixed abode – expansion of projects planned
With the beginning of the cold season, teams of Menschenfreude e.V. were again increasingly on the road in Cologne and Bonn to visit people without a fixed abode. In addition to the distribution of food and winter-proof textiles, this time it was also about the idea of resocialization: so it was possible to organize a hostel for some over the Christmas days. There has also been help with visits to the authorities. Young people will soon be involved in similar projects.
MENSCHEN FREUDE BILDER: The picture exhibition moves on to Alfter town hall
From January 26, 2023 Menschenfreude e.V. will be a guest in Alfter’s town hall. The vernissage of MENSCHEN FREUDE BILDER, the first photo exhibition of our non-profit association, will take place at 5 pm. The photographs by Kerstin Schley, Kathrin Anderseck and Jürgen Perteck can be seen until February 8, 2023 during the opening hours of the town hall. Admission is free, but donations are requested. In November 2022 MENSCHEN FREUDE BILDER was already on display at the Dorfhaus Alfter-Gielsdorf. Further dates are planned.
Dental missions to Madagascar – 400 patients treated – more to be provided through donations
On the initiative of Menschenfreude board member Jürgen Perteck, we were in Madagascar in November 2022 as part of an aid campaign. We, that is dentist Dr. Kathrin Zizmann, helper Pia Eberlein, as well as our companion Joost Versluis. Jürgen Perteck became aware of the catastrophic dental conditions while building a drinking water well in Antanimarina Village during a previous trip.
“Abandoned Land” – readings & discussion evenings with our author Knuth Martens.
Since a few days the book “Verlassenes Land – Über Menschen und Menschlichkeit im Ukraine-Krieg” is available everywhere in bookstores and online (ISBN 978-9-403-66078-3). At this point we give you a short update about readings with author Dr. Knuth Martens. The proceeds of the events as well as from the sale of the book will go to our association Menschenfreude e.V. and thus support the families affected by the war.
Vernissage: PEOPLE JOY PICTURES solemnly opened – further dates in 2023
The first photo exhibition of Menschenfreude e.V. was opened at the weekend in the context of a large vernissage. There were about 70 pictures on display, taken by Kerstin Schley, Kathrin Anderseck and Jürgen Perteck, which were taken during the worldwide missions of our non-profit organization. The exhibits were framed by selected artifacts from the respective countries, accompanying texts, and artistic installations. In January 2023, the exhibition will move on – initially to Alfter City Hall. Other locations are planned.
Für Menschenfreude e.V. in the Citizens’ Delegation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
This year, the Prime Minister of the Free State of Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow, has invited eight representatives from each of the federal states to Erfurt for the central celebration of German Unity Day. Eight people who “volunteer, brave and committed to their fellow citizens.” We are very proud that Jürgen Perteck, our Menschenfreude e.V. founder and board member, was invited to join this citizens’ delegation of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Slums in the middle of Europe – Our cooperation for Romania
In September, a team from Menschenfreude e.V. was on the road in Romania. Reason for the trip: On the initiative of Elka and Matthias Straub, who have already supported us in several Ukraine transports, a meeting with the Romanian “People to People Foundation” was organized. Among other things, People to People is involved in the cities of Cluj and Oradea for infrastructural facilities in slums, for the creation of educational opportunities and against human trafficking. Initial opportunities for joint projects were explored. Besides Elka and Matthias, Jürgen Perteck as well as Jan and Kathrin Anderseck were there.