Our work
SOMEDI is an aid organisation that is deeply committed to helping people in need – regardless of their origin, religion or political beliefs. Our projects are an expression of solidarity and humanity in action. They range from medical care and educational initiatives to long-term development projects that open up new perspectives for disadvantaged communities.
Working closely with local partners on the ground, SOMEDI ensures that its aid is sustainable and effective. The focus is on people's needs – our projects are geared towards real challenges and always strive for long-term solutions rather than short-term measures.
With each project, we want to give hope, improve living conditions and create new opportunities. SOMEDI supports and supervises these projects with professional competence, heart and a clear goal: a fairer world for all.
‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’ (Nelson Mandela)
01
Support from REAP
SOMEDI works with the organisation REAP (Reach Education Action Programme) to support schools in the slums of Kalwa in Mumbai. In an environment where poverty and a lack of prospects dominate the everyday lives of many families, these schools give children access to education – and thus the chance of a better future.
Often, the main reason parents send their children to school is the daily hot meal that is provided there. But step by step, the children learn how important learning is and begin to enjoy their lessons. Every day, REAP employees work hard to convince families of the importance of education.
Thanks to donations from SOMEDI, not only can the premises be maintained and equipped, but teaching materials and salaries for teachers can also be financed. This creates places where children receive not only food, but also knowledge and care.
The long-standing partnership and regular visits by SOMEDI create additional trust and show local families that their commitment to education is being sustainably supported. This makes a difference – for each individual child and for the entire community.
02
Support for Nirmala Leprosy School, Dhanbad
SOMEDI supports the Damien Nirmala Leprosy School in Dhanbad – originally established for children of leprosy sufferers, it is now a regular secondary school open to all children. Many of the pupils come from the colonies where leprosy sufferers used to be sent. Leprosy is still present in India today, and those affected often suffer not only from health consequences, but also from discrimination and social isolation. Children from these families therefore often do not have easy access to education and have few opportunities for a better future.
SOMEDI is committed to overcoming these barriers by awarding scholarships and thus enabling education for the children. The donations are used to finance the school and its equipment as well as the teachers. This allows the children to learn in a protected environment, receive support and learn that they too have a place in society.
SOMEDI's support shows that no one should be excluded. Education opens the way to a self-determined future and gives children hope, dignity and new perspectives.
03
Support Food for Education
The Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust's Food for Education project, supported by SOMEDI, ensures that children from low-income families in India receive a hot, nutritious meal every day. For many families, this meal is often the decisive reason for sending their children to school, as hunger not only makes learning difficult, but also increases the risk of children dropping out of school early.
Over 1,100 children in a total of 37 schools are regularly provided with meals. The meals are fresh, balanced and nutritious, and are prepared by experienced cooks. Regular meals strengthen the children, increase their concentration in class and motivate them to attend school continuously – enabling them to gradually develop new perspectives for their future.
SOMEDI supports the project by securing funding for meals, school equipment and teaching staff. This long-term partnership ensures quality, builds trust in the communities and achieves a sustainable impact. Food for Education impressively demonstrates how targeted aid not only combats hunger, but also enables education and opens up real opportunities for children to lead self-determined lives.
‘The task of the physician is to give hope and promote life.’ (Paracelsus)
04
Support for Nirmala Leprosy Hospital
In addition to supporting the Damien Nirmala Leprosy School, SOMEDI is also committed to the Nirmala Leprosy Hospital in Dhanbad. Many people who are treated there do not have easy access to medical care – for many, medicine is a luxury item that they would otherwise not be able to afford.
Thanks to SOMEDI, urgently needed medicines can be purchased and provided. In addition, the organisation supports the hospital with other resources that help patients lead better, more independent lives. This assistance not only treats acute illness, but also restores quality of life and strengthens hope.
SOMEDI thus demonstrates how targeted support can help overcome barriers in the healthcare system and offer concrete help and prospects to people who are often marginalised or disadvantaged.
05
Mobility Camps
SOMEDI's Mobility Camps give people in India who would otherwise have little access to necessary aids a better quality of life. Some of these camps are set up entirely by SOMEDI so that help can be provided directly on site.
With simple, inexpensive solutions such as prostheses that cost less than €35 or easy-to-use hearing aids that are also affordable, people are given the chance to become more independent and participate in social life. Even though the aids are simple, their impact is enormous: they enable freedom of movement, social integration and a more self-determined life.
Through the Mobility Camps, SOMEDI shows that targeted assistance can often bring about major changes with small, pragmatic measures. For many of those affected, this means not only an improvement in physical abilities, but also hope, dignity and new perspectives for the future.
06
Immunity Drive
The “Immunity Drive” project was initiated by Stephanie Herlach, who has made it her personal mission to give young people in India a better future through medical support and vaccination. During the first mission in Bangalore, 600 girls were vaccinated against HPV – a remarkable success. The initiative was supported on site by many dedicated volunteers from the Cologne Fire Department as well as emergency physicians. The renowned doctor Dr. Ishwar Gilada, President of the AIDS Society of India, also contributed his medical expertise to the project. SOMEDI provided all the vaccines in full. Further vaccination and health projects in cooperation with SOMEDI are planned for the future.
Thanks to Stephanie Herlach’s initiative, Immunity Drive has already become a reality – her commitment was instrumental in bringing this project to life and ensuring its success.
