Two teams, one circle of friends

Manfred had been a member of the association “Freundeskreis christlicher Sozialarbeit in Uganda” since it was founded 25 years ago, and its chair for the last 10. Through his work for the association he made it possible for thousands of children in Uganda to go to school, and decisively improved the lives of countless families. He was the pillar of the association: often the one with the ideas, the one who brought people together, the line to God who still kept both feet on the ground. The one who set things back on track without too much criticism, the pragmatist, the hopeful one. He made visions come true, yet never put that down to his own abilities, but to the grace of the Lord.

Then, three years ago, the shattering diagnosis: cancer. The time he was given: just a few months. Manfred told us in a letter. Without bitterness, without blame. How strong he was. “It's all as it should be.” I know of no one else who would have taken it like that, who would have carried on his passion for doing good for the children in Uganda with such dedication. We can only guess that there were dark hours too, and doubts. Who could wonder at it. And so the few months became three years, in which he served in his office to the very end. Already seriously ill, he still brought several PAUL water filters to Uganda, each the size of half a fridge. He dealt with the correspondence, chaired meetings and sessions. And precisely because he worked until the very end, his death now comes so suddenly.

Manfred cannot be replaced; the emptiness remains. We will try to carry on the work in his spirit. As he always said: “You'll manage.” Thank you, Manfred.

Our thoughts and sympathy are with his wife Christel and the whole family.