f.l.t.r. Stefan Wolfschütz, Sophie Allerkamp, Andreas Roß, Michael Hoppe, Marie Schnaidt, Kirsten vom Heu, Simone Damak

Team spirit

Although the Hamburger steps team The Foundation consists of seven people, three of whom are not paid and work for the Foundation on a voluntary basis. The others are employed part-time, which means that we manage with just under two positions in total and receive support from freelancers and, thankfully, volunteers. We are there for you as contact persons and are happy to support you in your endeavours.

Michael Hoppe: „I am always thrilled and amazed at what we manage to achieve with this small but highly motivated team. Thank you dear team and fellow board members!‚ 

Some of us have been working for the foundation for a while, the others are introducing themselves to you here.

Andreas Roß - New support on the Executive Board

I have been working alongside steps for children for over 10 years - both locally in Namibia and here in Germany. So far I have worked intensively for the steps guardian angel children and young people. I visit steps almost every year - mainly in Okakarara. I then always report to friends and colleagues about progress and changes at the steps locations.  

At the beginning of the year, I was once again able to experience the success of the programme in person - during an exchange with our steps students on site in Windhoek. In future, I want to take on even more responsibility in my role as a member of the board of step for children and get even more involved in the good cause of steps.

Kirsten vom Heu - Team Manager

Dear supporters and fellow campaigners, I have been part of the steps for children team since August 2022 and work for the foundation as team manager. I would like to introduce myself briefly: I am 55 years old and my professional roots lie in working with young people - my first profession was as an educator.

After studying psychology and training as a coach and organisational consultant, I worked in a management consultancy for a long time. During this time, I was able to get to know and support many NGOs. Working with people with a heart and idealists touched me so much that I have been working full-time for NGOs since 2008. Now at steps, in the intercultural cooperation and our commitment to children affected by poverty, I encounter surprises, challenges and constantly learn something new every day. At the beginning of this year I was in Namibia and visited the steps education centres: I was deeply impressed by the commitment of our local staff. The daily progress of our steps children, the good, collegial cooperation with the Hamburg team, my colleagues in Namibia and all the volunteers are deeply gratifying. Together we are making a difference. I am delighted to be part of it.

The board of the steps for children foundation

Andreas Roß, Michael Hoppe and Stefan Wolfschütz have now jointly formed the Executive Board of the steps for children foundation since March 2023.