Helper team Rothenburgsort: Lifeguard for thousands in Hamburg!

Helper team Rothenburgsort: Lifeguard for thousands in Hamburg!

In the middle of the special challenges that shape the social landscape in Germany, there are places where sympathy and community help play a crucial role. These places include the "Rothenburgsort" helper team in Hamburg, which has been tirelessly committed to supporting the helpers for years. Angela Krüger, an early retiree, meets the group every week to receive donations of food and kind. It is impressive to hear that up to 1200 people see this facility per week to get help in the form of food and other necessary goods.

Bernd Peter Holst, a committed social democrat, welcomes the waiting for the entrance door. With patience and friendliness, he checks the documents of the visitors. "Control is important, otherwise it ends in chaos," he explains. Holst is one of the founders of the association Bürger-Helfen-Bürger e.V. Hamburg, which was launched in 2003 to provide people in Rothenburgsort.

support in need

The location was chosen because there were few help in the area, but the number of people in need increased steadily. The team of helpers not only operates a food distribution on the site of the former brandy monopoly, but also organizes regular markets in which clothing, toys and household appliances are offered. In addition, club sponsors help the needy to find their way in the German language and the bureaucratic system.

The team mostly consists of volunteers, many of them once gave customers. The over 60-year-old Olga, who comes from Ukraine, contributes to its part by decorating the tables with fresh foods that were donated by various supermarkets and bakeries. Despite her own difficulties, she is grateful that she can now help, even if she sees her language barriers as a challenge.

Angela Krüger confesses that it used to be terribly embarrassed to rely on such help. "But at least I no longer break out in tears," she laughs, while putting some cherry tomatoes in her shopping cart. The friendly tone in the helper team is a welcome change from the often anonymous interactions in urban aid facilities.

The challenges of everyday life

gets the cultural differences that can occur when registering for help offers. One example is that the word "registration" does not exist in many cultures. For many who need help, this process can be confusing and frustrating, which underlines the need for a clear structure in such programs.

need often leads to loneliness, explains Holst, and he sees himself and his team, responsibility not only to provide material help, but also to fight social isolation. But he also expresses concern about the noticeable acceptance of the willingness to donate, which is essential for the continued existence of its support offers.

Unfortunately, it turns out that the problem of help is becoming increasingly diverse, since students and pensioners who do not have to make ends meet increasingly also have to look. Holst is aware of this and would like to continue to actively help relieve suffering in his community. "I want to help for ten years and hope that others will come," he says with a smile while reflecting on the upcoming challenges of a changing society.

The "Rothenburgsort helper team" sees itself as an important support, not only for those in need, but also for the community that comes together to help these people in need. How does it put it aptly: "Without the help I would be stuck". He looks hopefully into the future and wishes that the number of helpers and supporters grows with that of the needy. In a world in which support is often a rarity, this place shows that solidarity and helpfulness can change life.