Six years of commitment in Ghana: "It's small steps that make a big difference"

They built a school, renovated a kindergarten and installed smoke-free cooking facilities: In an interview, Petra Halbig, Chair of Friends without Borders, talks about her work in Ghana.

Unterschleißheim

– Petra Halbig (58) would not have dared to dream that “Friends without Borders” would have such an impact when she founded the association six years ago.

Making a difference beyond the borders of a culture that is completely foreign to us.

The woman from Unterschleißheim had made up her mind.

With success.

Most recently, the association built a school in Ghana (we reported), a health center is to follow.

He initiated pen pals between students from Ghana and the Unterschleißheim middle school, renovated a kindergarten, initiated cooking facilities and encouraged the production of sanitary towels.

In the interview, Halbig talks about her work in West Africa.

Ms. Halbig, several projects on another continent - how does that work?

They underestimate the importance of our logo, to which we feel committed - regardless of the success of the association: Change the World a little bit. It's often the small steps that make a big difference.

You need to elaborate...

"Friends without Borders" does not carry out projects on its own.

We offer start-up help for self-help.

Take school, our largest project by far.

Local craftsmen built the school.

Or the pen pals: writing a few slips of paper was too boring for the children over there.

You missed personal contact.

Since then, the students have been exchanging video messages.

The club focuses on two smaller towns in Ghana.

How come?

It all started with a trip as part of Unterschleißheim's climate partnership with the "Ho Municipal District".

I was there as the city's bicycle commissioner.

With a bunch of impressions in my luggage, I'm back again.

I couldn't let go of the images: families who had to get through the day with a bowl of rice.

insufficient hygiene;

missing education.

Chief Togbe Akliku Ahorney II and Queen Mama Amensinu II finally invited me to their hometown of Mafi Dadoboe.

In June 2016 the time had come.

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In December 2016, Petra Halbig traveled to Ghana with 200 donated pairs of glasses.

On site, an optician measured the eyesight in a school and distributed the glasses

© Private

Since then you have not only been chairmen of “Friends without Borders”.

As Mama Zifornu I. you are the "Queen of Development".

It's about not just throwing a sack of rice at people's door.

Our efforts to solicit support in Unterschleißheim culminate in the establishment of a network of help for self-help.

There is the optician who collects glasses.

SV Lohhof collects balls and jerseys.

We want to win clubs, businesses and private individuals for our cause.

The goal is a network of supporters able to serve any need that arises in Mafi Dadoboe and in Mafi Wute.

Education, health, environmental protection, fair trade and culture - these are the topics you cover...

Education and upbringing are pivotal points in the fight against poverty and poor living conditions.

We are aware of the task we have set ourselves.

We started in 2016 with ten people.

Now we're 25 - and not a bit tired.

We embarked on a journey together.

Again and again we climb milestones: plastic waste, climate-friendly and efficient cooking areas.

Our educational campaign on early pregnancy and contraception.

It certainly didn’t hurt that you received the district’s environmental award in 2020?

Environmental protection and climate change are central aspects of our work.

The environmental award raised our level of awareness.

The more support, the better!

The images of women who clean the family's clothes without running water, who spend hours collecting wood to prepare food in the smoky air of the hearths.

You no longer discard these images.

More news from Unterschleißheim and the district of Munich can be found here.