Thanks to her hard work and perseverance, the 28-year-old is currently training to be a registered nurse at the vocational nursing school at the Günzburg District Hospital (BKH). "This is my dream job: I've always wanted to be a nurse," says the Kenyan native. The fact that she's come this far and is now able to study in Germany is partly thanks to the "Projekt Schwarz-Weiß", which originated in Roggenburg (Neu-Ulm district).
"Projekt Schwarz-Weiß" is a registered non-profit organization that works to help children in need in Africa. Abandoned, orphaned, and neglected children find a new home in the projects of the "Nice View Trust Foundation" in Kenya, supported by its members and sponsors.
Mwanasha is one of them. She and her two brothers, Haji and Suleiman, were lucky enough to be taken in by the Nice View Project in 2000. The village elder had chosen them. At the time, Asha was eight, Haji six, and Suleiman twelve. "I wasn't allowed to go to school because my family didn't have any money. Instead, we girls had to fetch water and look for wood," says Asha. The three siblings were among the first eight children taken in by the Nice View children's village. To date, there are more than 70. The children's village is located in Msambweni, one of the poorest regions in Kenya. Asha was born not far away in the Kwale region (south of Mombasa).
The Dürr family from Ingstetten, a district of Roggenburg, played a significant role in the creation of the Nice View Project in Msambweni. Because Edmund Dürr personally helped build the houses and Gudrun Dürr cared for her charges day and night, increasing numbers of children found protection and security in the "Nice View Children's Village," some of whom would otherwise not have survived the next few days. The Dürr couple's three children, Marcel, Denise, and Pascal, support their parents with advice and assistance. When Asha speaks of her mother today, she doesn't mean her biological mother, but Gudrun Dürr. Mrs. Dürr, who remained in Kenya, was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in October 2019 after 20 years of hard work. The "Nice View Trust Foundation" now includes a children's village and a semi-self-sufficient farm project, a carpentry and tailoring workshop, a school and kindergarten, and a hospital (medical center).
Asha came to Germany in 2017 with the help of Gudrun Dürr. She ended up working as an au pair with a host family near Pfreimd in Upper Palatinate. She studied nutritional science and, in the meantime, successfully completed training as a nutritionist. After a year, her desire to pursue her dream career as a nurse became more solidified. "But that wasn't easy because of the language," the young woman explains. The fact that she speaks German so well today is largely due to her ambition to learn German with the help of YouTube videos. Her host family also practiced a lot with her.
In 2018, she came to Krumbach to complete a voluntary social year (FSJ) at the local district hospital. "I worked in cardiology there. I really enjoyed it," she reports. Then Asha applied for an apprenticeship at the vocational school for nursing in Günzburg – and was accepted. Since April 2019, she has been part of class F19.
She says she's thoroughly enjoying her training there, too. "This job is close to my heart. I want to give something back to others from what I've experienced." When you see this young, friendly woman with her infectious smile, you can practically feel her passion for helping others. The job of a nurse is demanding but extremely fulfilling. It can sometimes be "a bit exhausting" if you have to work on holidays or weekends when others are off, she says.
Class teacher Ilona Strobel describes Mwanasha as a "very, very hard-working student." "I admire her courage and perseverance, which she demonstrates in being so committed and integrating so well into the class." Ilona Strobel lives in a neighboring village of Roggenburg and is quite familiar with the "Projekt Schwarz-Weiß". "The African saying 'One person alone cannot carry a roof' comes to mind, which I find very fitting: It expresses what can be achieved through togetherness," says the teacher.
School principal Erich Renner is also enthusiastic about the African student. He calls her a prime example of someone who loves the nursing profession. Does she have a chance of being hired after completing her training? "The job prospects are excellent," Renner replies.
The 28-year-old lives in the nurses' residence on the BKH campus. She finds her "colleagues," as she calls her 16 female and five male classmates, very nice and helpful. A larger group even went out to eat together in Augsburg. Even though she misses Kenya, she would like to stay in Germany. "I've only had positive experiences here. You can do what you want and wear what you want." It's a bit more difficult, however, if you don't have any money. But as the African so beautifully puts it: "Hakuna Matata," which means "There are no problems/difficulties." Asha smiles a lot and happily. "At home, it's like this: Even though you're suffering, you still laugh."“
When it comes to finding and finding friends, the difference between Germany and Kenya is huge. "It's much more difficult here. You're more on your own. It's completely different in my home country," says Asha. Nevertheless, she has found a life partner: For two years, she has been in a relationship with a man of the same age from Baden-Württemberg. In mid-August, they will be traveling to Berlin together for a week's vacation.
Asha is currently getting her driver's license, even though she doesn't own a car. She finds the many traffic regulations in Germany impressive. "It's completely different in Kenya. Anyone who crosses a zebra crossing there risks being run over." Born a Muslim, she grew up in a Christian environment. At 18, she converted to Christianity. The free choice to convert would have been unthinkable in her original environment.
In Krumbach, Asha attended a Protestant church service where gospel music was being sung. "I felt very comfortable there." In her private life, she passionately sings hymns and gospel songs in the African language Swahili. Sometimes she records herself singing on her phone and then sends the video via WhatsApp to her friends and to people in Africa. For example, to her younger brother Haji, who successfully completed his teacher training and has been teaching at his own "Nice View School" in Kenya since this year. Both are very grateful for the good things that have happened to them in life. Or as they say in Kenya: "Asante Sana" – thank you very much!
Original text/picture: Georg Schalk, district hospitals Schwaben
Your team of Projekt Schwarz-Weiß e.V.
