Hilfe aus Hessen in der Ebola Hölle Bildzeitung 08.01.2016

An den Tod gewöhnt man sich nicht FAZ, 01.10.2014

Deutsche Medizienerin trotzt Ebola DW, 17.09.2014

Top award for German doctor who treated the wounded during Liberian civil war DW, 31.12.2013

Ebola: medeor liefert Anzüge zum Schutz WZ Newsline, 01.09.2014

Polizei-Chef hilft in Liberia Norddeutsche Rundschau, 10.04.2014

Vom Risiko, ein guter Mensch zu sein Von Tobias Peter, 08.12.2013

Kunstverkauf für Klinik in Liberia WAZ Essen, 05.03.2013

Rotarier aus Mülheim leisten Wiederaufbau-Hilfe in Liberia WAZ Essen, 22.04.2011

Freundeskreis Liberia schickt Hilfsgüter über den großen Teich Aachener Zeitung, 21.07.2008

The following article was published after the ministers visited Liberia/GERLIB CLINIC in spring 2015:

Germany supports West Africa in overcoming the Ebola crisis - Federal Ministers Müller and Gröhe conclude West Africa trip.

Monrovia - The two ministers' four-day trip to West Africa ended today with talks with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Gerd Müller and Hermann Gröhe assured the Ebola-affected countries that they would support them in their reconstruction efforts following the Ebola crisis.

Ebola has not yet been overcome, emphasised Walter Lindner, the German government's special envoy on Ebola. But there is finally light at the end of the tunnel, he said, with the number of new infections in the region actually at zero.

Germany will support Africa with a special programme worth 200 million euros to develop healthcare, with Liberia alone receiving 12 million euros immediately. Minister Müller emphasised the three priorities of the programme: ‘Equipment, education and training - we are stepping up our efforts in these three areas.’ The Minister also assured the Liberian President of an infrastructure programme in the areas of nutrition and energy supply as well as a training programme for women. Overall, Germany is thus doubling its bilateral cooperation with Liberia to 37 million euros.

Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe said: ‘The Ebola outbreak has shown once again that health must be considered globally. That is why the G7 presidency will also be about learning lessons from the Ebola epidemic. Local healthcare systems must be strengthened so that they are better equipped to deal with future epidemics?this not only helps the people in the affected countries, but is also the best protection against cross-border health risks. At the same time, we must step up international efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases.

Following discussions with experts and employees of German development cooperation in Monrovia, the ministers also visited a clinic that has been working in Liberia for 30 years with German support. The German Liberian Clinic (Gerlib Clinic) was itself affected by the Ebola crisis and had to be closed for several weeks last year at the height of the crisis. ‘Africa has strong women,’ says Müller. ‘Germany, with this year's G7 presidency, has set itself the goal of focussing its cooperation on empowering women and their importance for the development of their countries.’ The aim of the programme is to promote vocational training for girls and women in Liberia, including in technical and healthcare professions.

Guido Müller : People help even in danger
Source: Official gazette for the municipality of Niederzier No. 3 dated 3 February 2006

Margret Gieraths-Nimene gave a presentation on a development project supported by our school in Liberia. During the Sponsored Walk in 2003, our school also supported a development project in Liberia. Now Mrs Margret Gieraths-Nimene, co-founder of the GERLIB CLINIC in a suburb of the Liberian capital Monrovia, gave a slide show in the conference room in Merzenich to give interested colleagues and parents an overview of the living conditions in the country and the history of the clinic.

Our school came into contact with the project through teacher Klaudia Gieraths, who is Margret Gieraths-Neme's sister. In 1985, Mrs Gieraths-Nimene and her Liberian husband, Dr Domo Nimene, set up the GERLIB CLINIC in Paynesville, a suburb of Monrovia. The Liberian population received medical care there, both in terms of treatment and prevention. Bronchitis, worm diseases and malaria were treated, operations performed and obstetrics provided. Vaccination campaigns were organised as a preventive measure and advice was given on healthy eating, hygiene and how to avoid diseases. The medical staff at the GERLIB CLINIC also helped people during the 14-year civil war. They achieved unimaginable things - despite the constant fear for their own lives. Added to this is the lack of food and water.

GERLIB CLINIC has built wells so that the population has clean drinking water. Savings clubs have also been opened, as the poor people have no access to banks because their savings amounts are too small and the workload for the banks is too great - or so they say. However, the savings clubs help the poor population to have some money in emergencies. For example, when a family member dies or gets married, it is customary to give money as a gift. And every African is proud to do this.

The founder of the GERLIB CLINIC, Dr Nimene, died in 1998. Today, the clinic is run by a Liberian doctor. The medical staff have joined forces to form the German Liberian Friendship Society. In addition to providing medical care to the population, they also support young men and women so that they can receive vocational training to secure a livelihood for themselves and their families.

A school was built in 2002-2003. This year, 200 young men and women are attending the school and learning how to cook, bake, dye (batik), tailor and hairdress. Some of the graduates only want to use their newly acquired skills for themselves and at home. Others want to open a small business. The German Liberian Friendship Society also helps them with this.

The money raised through the sponsored walk was used to expand the school. Toilets and washrooms were built as well as two large classrooms. One room is to be equipped with PCs. Some of the equipment has been donated by colleagues from Niederzier and Merzenich. A small library is also to be set up in the school in Liberia. There are hardly any books in Liberia and it is important that the children and young people read. The next step is to build a carpentry workshop and a motor vehicle workshop.

The audience was very impressed by the performance and courage of the GERLIB CLINIC employees. Further support is planned.