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Two broken fingers, a journey to the other side of the world, and a thousand doors opening along the way. Sometimes, something big begins with a journey, lots of questions and the courage to explore new paths. 🎋

In this episode of Herzenssache, I’m taking you along on a very special journey. We’re talking about bamboo, sustainable construction and our vision of creating something in Ghana that could open up new opportunities for the future.

What can we learn from the Philippines?

I travelled to the Philippines to meet people who are building with bamboo exactly what we dream of creating in Ghana: houses and schools that can withstand even severe storms.

I wanted to understand how they work, which techniques they use and what we could learn from their experience for our own plans. Because bamboo is much more than a fast-growing natural resource. When used correctly, it can open up new possibilities for sustainable construction.

The people I met and the experiences I had gave me valuable new insights. They showed me just how much is possible when people share their knowledge, work together to find solutions and are willing to look beyond their own horizons.

Victor was on the road, too

While I was looking for answers in the Philippines, Victor travelled to Kenya. There, too, we wanted to learn from others, gain experience and discover how we could turn our vision for Ghana into reality, one step at a time.

Sometimes, it is precisely these encounters that open new doors. Ideas begin to take shape, open questions lead to new approaches, and a big dream becomes a project we can actively work towards.

Of course, there is still a lot to do. But every new insight brings us one step closer.

Our vision for Ghana 🎋

We want to explore how bamboo can be used for sustainable construction in Ghana in the long term. One important step towards this goal is establishing our own bamboo plantation. To make this happen, we need suitable land, the right knowledge and people who share our enthusiasm for the project.

Our aim is not simply to copy what other countries are doing. We want to discover what works in Ghana and how we can adapt what we learn to local conditions.

Because we believe that when we explore new paths, learn from one another and work together to find solutions, we can create opportunities that go far beyond the construction project itself.

Tune in and join us on this journey!

In the first episode of “Herzenssache – From Bamboo Stalk to House”, I share more about this special journey, the people we met and the ideas we brought home with us.

🎧 Listen to the new episode!

You can find it on all major podcast platforms.

▶️ You can also watch it on our YouTube channel.

🎥 And the episode is available as a video on Apple Podcasts, too.

I’d love for you to join us on this journey. Because perhaps one day, a simple bamboo stalk will become something far greater than we can imagine today. 💚

Duct tape, wire and superglue. Sometimes, that’s all you need. 😉

Christine still has plenty of questions left – and in this episode of “Herzenssache”, things get personal, surprising and, as always, entertaining.

What would Bettina change immediately if she were President of Ghana? What would she tell her younger self today? And why does Victor call her an iron rod in front of the Chiefs in the north?

We talk about maize and sweet potatoes, about things that sometimes go wonderfully well – and, of course, about those moments when something in Ghana inevitably gets in the way.

After so many years in Ghana, Bettina knows that you can plan as carefully as you like – something will usually come along and change the plan. That’s when creativity, patience and sometimes a little emergency kit of duct tape, wire and superglue come in handy. 😄

A personal episode about Ghana, everyday life, improvisation and all those little surprises that make life so lively.

🎧 Tune in now!

The new episode of “Herzenssache” is available on all major podcast platforms.

▶️ You can also watch the episode on our YouTube channel.

🎥 And on Apple Podcasts, the episode is available as a video as well.

👉 Visit our podcast page:

Herzenssache – If Bettina Were President

Herzenssache is back from its summer break! 🎙️

And this time, things get personal, surprising – and, at times, quite funny.

Christine brought 20 questions with her, and Bettina picked three. What followed? A conversation that somehow went from whales off the Canadian coast to bamboo that can grow four metres in just two months – and to the very practical question of why a single photo from a school in Ghana can sometimes require a motorcycle.

The new episode offers a personal glimpse into Bettina’s experiences after 25 years in Ghana – the everyday surprises, the challenges that come with our work, and, of course, the things that can still drive her up the wall after all these years. 😉

We also talk about what is coming up for Madamfo Ghana after the summer break and the projects that will keep us busy in the months ahead.

Tune in and discover a slightly different side of “Herzenssache”.

The new episode is now available on all major podcast platforms, on our YouTube channel, and as a video on Apple Podcasts.

Herzenssache – What Bettina Still Doesn’t Understand

As part of the Stakeholder Dialogue on Plastic Pollution, organised by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Ghana with the support of the German Embassy in Ghana, I had the opportunity to meet Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, CEO of the EPA, and exchange ideas with her on plastic pollution and sustainable alternatives.

From 1 January 2027, Ghana is set to ban the production, importation, distribution, sale and use of polystyrene foam products, commonly used for takeaway food packaging.

The next step is to develop practical and affordable alternatives and to support the transition.

Our Bambility project is very much part of this journey. 🎋

Bamboo is a renewable resource and offers many opportunities to replace plastic with more sustainable solutions. Through Bambility, we want to show that sustainable alternatives are not only possible, but can also be developed in Ghana while creating new opportunities and livelihoods.

For us, these things belong together: protecting the environment, involving people and creating solutions that can work and make a difference in the long term.

Strong women. Bold decisions. A cleaner Ghana.

August at the Children’s Shelter: Learning, Playing and Three Happy Reunifications

August was still school holiday time in Ghana, but life at the Madamfo Children’s Shelter in Ho was anything but quiet. While the children spent their holidays studying, playing sports and enjoying activities together, there was also particularly good news: three children were safely reunited with their families during the month.

Learning Continues During the Holidays

Even though schools were closed, learning continued at the shelter. The children received home tuition in ICT, Science, Mathematics and English, helping them revise what they had learned and stay academically engaged during the holidays. This will help them return to school well prepared for the new term.

Of course, there was still plenty of time to enjoy the holidays. Football and volleyball were especially popular. The children also helped with small tasks around the shelter, including cleaning, weeding and taking care of their surroundings. These everyday activities encourage responsibility, cooperation and independence.

Three Children Reunited with Their Families

One of the happiest developments in August was the successful reunification of three children with their families.

Nine-year-old Elikem Justice was able to return safely to his family just one week after arriving at the shelter. Seidu and Eli also returned home after spending around one month in our care. Following the necessary assessments and preparations, they could safely be reunited with their families.

This is one of the most important goals of our work. The shelter provides children with protection and care when they need it. Whenever it is possible and safe, however, the ultimate goal is to help them return to their families.

Four Children Find a Temporary Home

At the same time, four new children arrived at the shelter in August: two boys and two girls between the ages of nine and 15. They were admitted to receive care, protection and a safe place to stay while their individual situations are assessed. At the end of August, 25 children were living at the Madamfo Children’s Shelter in Ho.

For every newly admitted child, the first priority is to provide safety, stability and time to settle in. Together with the responsible authorities, the team then works to determine the best possible long-term solution for each child.

A Very Special Donation

August also brought a wonderful surprise. A tailor visited the shelter, took the measurements of every child and offered to make brand-new clothes for all 25 children.

It was the first time in the history of the shelter that a donor had personally offered to make individually tailored clothing for every child. A very personal gesture that brought a great deal of joy to the children.

A Temporary Home and, Whenever Possible, a Way Back Home

August once again showed how varied life at the children’s shelter can be. While four children arrived and needed a safe place and care, three others were able to return to their families.

In between are all the everyday things that give children stability: learning together, playing, taking responsibility, having reliable people around them and simply being allowed to be children.

Thank you to everyone who supports our work and helps us provide children in difficult situations with a safe place for as long as they need it.

A Month of Achievements, New Beginnings and a Safe Place to Stay

No two months are the same at Madamfo Children’s Shelter. Sometimes there is plenty to celebrate, while at other times children suddenly need protection and a safe place to stay. July brought both and once again showed how many different stories are part of everyday life at the Shelter.

Every Child Had a Reason to Be Proud

On 23 July, the children finally started their well-deserved school holidays after a busy academic term. Before that, however, there were examinations and the schools’ end-of-term award ceremonies.

And there was something very special to celebrate: every single one of our children received at least one award or recognition.

The awards recognised not only academic achievement, but also good behaviour, discipline and the children’s commitment throughout the term. It was a very proud moment for the children and, of course, for everyone at the Shelter.

Although school is closed for the holidays, learning has not stopped completely. Home tuition continues at the Shelter, giving the children the opportunity to revise what they have learned, work on areas where they need additional support and prepare for the new school term.

Birthdays, Football and a Little More Responsibility

Of course, the holidays are also a time for fun. In July, we celebrated the children whose birthdays fell during the month. Games, music, food and lots of laughter made it a special day for everyone.

Celebrations like these mean much more to the children than simply having a party. They give each child the feeling of being seen and appreciated and help strengthen the sense of community and belonging at the Shelter.

The children’s favourite weekend football matches also continued. At the same time, the school holidays mean taking on a little more responsibility in everyday life. Cleaning their rooms, washing dishes, tidying the surroundings and helping to keep the compound clean are all part of the children’s daily routine.

With the guidance of their caregivers, these everyday tasks help them develop independence, responsibility and teamwork, important lessons that go far beyond the classroom.

Two Children Find Temporary Safety

But July also had another side. Two more children were placed in the care of the Shelter after they were found in need of protection.

One of the boys had been found stranded and was taken to the police. He said that he came from Togo and had been travelling to Accra to join relatives. Following a referral by the police, the Department of Social Welfare arranged for him to stay at the Shelter. The relevant authorities are now working to trace his family, assess his circumstances and determine the best long-term solution for him.

Later in the month, another lost child was rescued and brought to the Shelter for temporary care. In his case, too, efforts are underway to identify and trace his family.

For now, both boys have what they need most: a safe place to stay, people who care for them and time while the next steps are being worked out.

With these two new admissions, 22 children were living at Madamfo Children’s Shelter at the end of July.

Sometimes It’s the Small Things That Matter Most

July once again reminded us that making a difference is not always about big projects or dramatic changes. Sometimes it is a child proudly bringing home an award. A birthday celebrated together. A football match at the weekend. Or a safe bed for a child who suddenly has nowhere else to go.

All of this is possible because people like you continue to support our work and the children at Madamfo Children’s Shelter.

Every donation helps us provide the children with safety, care, education and a sense of normality. Thank you to everyone who stands by our side and helps us give children not only a safe place to stay, but also hope and the chance of a better future.

After our summer break, we’re back with a very special and sporty episode of our podcast “Herzenssache.”

This time, we’re talking with GipfelfürGhana – a passionate cycling group showing how sporting ambition, endurance and careful planning can turn into something truly meaningful: concrete help for people in Ghana.

With motivation, dedication and plenty of team spirit, the cyclists are making a difference and supporting important projects focused on schools, water and children in Ghana.

It’s a story about sporting challenges, teamwork and, above all, how an idea can grow into real and lasting help.

🎧 Tune in now!
The new episode is available on all major podcast platforms.

And for those who prefer to watch: the episode is also available as a video on our YouTube channel and on Apple Podcasts.

We hope you enjoy listening and watching!

Podcast – Herzenssache – When Mountains Become Wells

Madamfo Ghana e.V. Recognized by UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Network – Working Together for a Sustainable Future

Madamfo Ghana e.V. has officially been recognized as an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) actor and is now featured on the German UNESCO Commission’s ESD Actors Map.

This recognition is a special acknowledgment of our work. For more than two decades, we have been committed to promoting education, equal opportunities and sustainable development in Ghana.

Whether through building schools and clean water systems, operating our Children’s Home, empowering girls and women, or developing our innovative bamboo project, our goal has always been to enable people to shape their own future.

For us, education means far more than learning in a classroom. It creates opportunities, strengthens personal responsibility and empowers people to build a sustainable future for themselves and their communities. This belief shapes our work every day and reflects the core principles of Education for Sustainable Development.

Being included on the UNESCO ESD Actors Map highlights the values that have guided Madamfo Ghana for many years. At the same time, it inspires us to continue developing sustainable solutions and creating lasting opportunities for future generations.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us on this journey and look forward to continuing this important work together.

🌍 Learn more about our work:
https://madamfo-ghana.de/

Discover What We Achieved Together

The first half of 2026 has been filled with inspiring progress and meaningful milestones. Our new infosheet takes you through the projects we’ve completed, the lives we’ve touched, and the exciting initiatives that lie ahead.

We invite you to have a look and see what your support makes possible.

It was a great pleasure to be invited as the second female guest in the ECUEM podcast series “Hidden Champs.”

In an open and personal conversation, I look back on my journey, from my early years in Ghana to the founding of Madamfo Ghana and the vision behind Bambility. It is not only about projects, but above all about the people, encounters, and experiences that have shaped this path.

For many years, Madamfo Ghana has been working together with its partners to promote sustainable development in the areas of education, water, health, and future opportunities. From this long-standing work, Bambility was also born, an initiative that combines sustainable solutions with the potential of bamboo, aiming to create new opportunities for both people and the environment.

In the podcast, we also talk about personal turning points, challenges, and the question of how an idea can become a life’s mission. It is an honest conversation about courage, trust, and the belief that sustainable change always begins with people.

A heartfelt thank you to Maria Patoulios and the entire ECUEM team for the invitation and the inspiring conversation.

🎙️ You can listen to the full podcast episode here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bgEtJZBuVdH8yyNNxeTtq?si=ZRBSYsA2RS-lV-v-GLseeA

This podcast episode is more than a reflection on past projects. It is an invitation to get to know the journey behind Madamfo Ghana and to take a look at the vision that continues to drive our work today – empowering people and creating sustainable future opportunities together.