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One of the initiators of the donation is Dr Karen von Hünerbein, a satellite navigation application engineer, committed Christian and member of the Paulus congregation in Bielefeld. When the congregation approached Stiegelmeyer with their request, it would normally have been difficult to fulfil – because Stiegelmeyer never keeps hospital beds in stock; they are always made to order.
However, in this case, several beds had just been returned to Herford after being used in film and television productions in Switzerland and Germany. In addition, our hospital team was able to provide some exhibition beds, mattresses and bedside cabinets. A total of 16 beds for adults and children were collected. They travelled by ship from Rotterdam to Mombasa in Kenya and then overland to Kigali. Ora-Kinderhilfe from Berlin helped with the organisation.
‘Solace Ministries’ help people in Rwanda
The Solace Medical Clinic in Kabuga has a special history, which Karen von Hünerbein recounts with great compassion. Rwanda is still suffering from the consequences of the 1994 genocide, in which the Hutu majority killed hundreds of thousands of people from the Tutsi minority. One of the survivors is Jean Gakwandi. He began helping people just a few months after the disaster, and his efforts grew, as recounted in his book “Solace”. In the beginning, it was simply praying and crying with the bereaved, then providing support for schoolchildren, food aid, trauma therapy for young people and much more. This led to the creation of Solace Ministries, a non-profit organisation with projects in many cities across the country since 1996. Today, it is run by Jean Gakwandi's daughter, Florence Neema.
The hospital in Kabuga is one of the projects. It started in 2011 and is being expanded into an increasingly comprehensive health centre with the help of private initiatives and donations. One of its main goals is to care for destitute patients who are turned away by other hospitals. "As a Christian aid organisation, Solace Ministries is committed to treating people with particular kindness and love," explains Ms von Hünerbein.
Stiegelmeyer hospital beds meet the requirements of the clinic in Rwanda
The pictures of the hospital are astonishing. Nothing looks homemade or makeshift. The building and grounds are modern and inviting, and the rooms are spacious. The Stiegelmeyer beds meet the local requirements exactly. It is important not to simply donate anything, but to clarify the needs beforehand, says Karen von Hünerbein.
She last visited the country in 2023 and plans to return to Rwanda this autumn for the opening of the new hospital building and the 30th anniversary of Solace Ministries. "The Rwandans value personal relationships very much; they consider us close friends and welcome us warmly," she reports. The deep faith also connects the people with their friends from the Paulus congregation. The contact dates back to 1998 and is set to continue as intensively as before.