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

Team spirit

Although the Hamburg steps team consists of seven people, three of them are unpaid and volunteer for the foundation. The others are employed part-time, so overall we manage with just under 2 positions, as well as receiving support from freelance workers and, thankfully, volunteers. We are here as your points of contact and are pleased when we can support you with your projects.

Michael Hoppe: “I am continually thrilled and amazed at everything we manage to ‘get done’ 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 board

I have been by the side of steps for children for over 10 years – both locally in Namibia and here in Germany. So far, I have been intensely committed to the steps guardian angel children and young people. Almost every year I visit steps – mainly in Okakarara. I always tell friends and colleagues about the 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 for a long time in management consulting. During this time, I was able to get to know and support many NGOs. Working with big-hearted people and idealists touched me so deeply that I have been working full-time for NGOs since 2008. Now at steps, in intercultural cooperation and through our commitment to children affected by poverty, I encounter surprises and challenges every day and am constantly learning something new. At the beginning of this year, I was in Namibia and visited the steps educational centres: I was deeply impressed by the commitment of our employees on the ground. 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 fulfilling. 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.