Press action medeor

For Anke Engelke, who has been an ambassador for action medeor for over 20 years, this was already her fifth project visit to Tanzania. Yet, she once again took away completely new impressions from her journey, as action medeor has significantly expanded its activities in East Africa. "So far, on my trips to Africa, I have always been close to people, to the fates and stories of patients or staff, and now, for the first time, I stood just as close to machines—sometimes for hours. But luckily, there were always wonderful people there who could explain everything perfectly," Anke Engelke reflects on the trip.

The journey for Anke Engelke began with a visit to action medeor's new location in Kibaha, a suburb of Dar es Salaam. There, action medeor has established a training center for medical technology and a production facility for reagents. "Reagents are chemical substances used in blood tests. They make it possible to diagnose many diseases accurately, such as infections or inflammations. Typically, these reagents are produced in Asia and imported into Africa. In Tanzania, we have now established the first production facility in all of East Africa – saving time and money while increasing independence," explains Angela Zeithammer, a board member of action medeor, who accompanied Anke Engelke on her journey. Engelke herself was deeply impressed after her visit: "The new home of action medeor in Kibaha had something magical about it; I can hardly describe it otherwise. The people there were so naturally immersed in their work, so skilled and dedicated in explaining the production facility, so warm and professional in their interactions—whether on the construction site of the new warehouse, in the kitchen, or the training rooms—that as I was leaving, I kept thinking: 'Wow, commitment and confidence really pay off and even motivate me here.'"

Anke Engelke then experienced firsthand the direct benefits that local people gain from action medeor’s support when she visited several hospitals. Together with Angela Zeithammer, the actress learned about the deployment of medical technology devices supplied by the aid organization and the challenges some clinics face. "I was particularly moved by how naturally the hospital staff carried out their work—even though necessary equipment, medicines, and supplies were often lacking. Whether in the neonatal unit or the laboratory: they help, listen, advise, and even when we are standing in the way and asking questions, they still meet us with patience and kindness," Anke Engelke summarized after the visit.

Angela Zeithammer from action medeor was also touched by the project visits. "Of course, we know that our work helps people. But feeling the joy when a mother holds her healthy baby in her arms is something entirely different," said the board member. "And the fact that Anke Engelke has supported this as an ambassador for 22 years and regularly visits the projects on-site is a very special commitment for which we are extremely grateful."

After returning from Tanzania, one thing was clear for Anke Engelke: "Tanzania continues to impress me, but this time, on my fifth visit, something was different: I was able to truly dive into new topics and experience firsthand how meaningful aid is. Learning about reagents and why it is so important to produce them locally—I grasped processes that I would have completely avoided in chemistry class, and at times, I felt like a trainee—just without the fear of exams! And I saw how crucial the support from action medeor in Germany is, and that even small donations can make a big difference. When you know what donations from Germany enable in Tanzania, you might no longer donate into the unknown but with a clear picture in mind—which honestly helps me a lot!"

Anyone who wants to support action medeor's work can do so by making a donation. You can donate online at www.medeor.de, where you can also leave your address for a donation receipt. Alternatively, donations can be made via IBAN DE78320500000000009993 at Sparkasse Krefeld, donation reference: "Emergency Aid Worldwide."

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