Close to people | Stories from Bethel
New poster campaign "Being there for people"
Bethel is now advertising its diaconal work across Germany on around 9,000 billboards. The slogan for our new billboards is "Being there for people". Because we are all about people. They are at the centre of our facilities and services - regardless of whether they work or live with us, are supported by us or go to school. And that's why they are the "main characters" on our posters. We introduce them here.
You can also hike on paper
Walter Stahlschmidt paints with passion. His favourite motifs: a blue sky, green trees and a hiker with a stick and hat. "That's my uncle. I often went for walks with him," says the 89-year-old man, who lives in Emmaus, a facility for people with disabilities. Walter Stahlschmidt came to Bethel because of his seizures. He worked in chair weaving for a long time. "A simple pattern went in no time at all! But I could do difficult ones too," he says, smiling charmingly. He would not have liked to retire. All the better that there is a programme for senior citizens every day. And friendly staff like Susana Wiens. Walter Stahlschmidt gets on very well with her - especially when he remembers to switch on his hearing aid.
Good days are loud and colourful
Christel Koch knows the highs of life - but also the threatening lows. She has been in a wheelchair since a serious car accident. For a long time, she managed quite independently, she says. But then there came a point when nothing worked any more. The 69-year-old now lives in the Bethel Elim centre. "They have rebuilt me here. Everyone is very nice. Just like Stefanos," she says, winking at the Bethel employee. On good days, Christel Koch sets off on her own, to the nearby nursery or to a small department stores'. But her favourite thing to do is watch the children in the playground as they whoop, slide and swing without a care in the world. It does her good. Just like the colourful afternoons at Elim.
A visit from mum is the best
Zeynep is a cuddly mouse. The nine-year-old prefers to sit on her mum Perihan Bulut's lap. But the little girl also loves to bathe or listen to music, as the staff at Bethel know. The girl lives with her sister in an institution for young people with mental and physical disabilities who need intensive round-the-clock care. They could no longer cope with the care at home. The girls' parents are very happy that they are both so well looked after, cared for and supported at Bethel. But they come to visit very often, because no one can replace the love of mum and dad.
Through life with humour
Rolf Beckmann has retained his sense of humour. The 85-year-old is in a wheelchair and also suffers from Parkinson's disease. But when he talks about his decades at Bethel, there is always a mischievous smile on his face. He came to the village at the age of 24 because of his epilepsy. He didn't like his first job in the cemetery nursery: "It always rained so much," he says. The workshops were better. But Gerda was the best. He has been married to her for 27 years. They both attend the day-centre activities at Bethel so that they don't get bored. Rolf Beckmann also meets Deacon Stefan Warmuth. The two get on really well and have known each other for 40 years. Even Gerda can't keep up with that.
Life becomes easier
Sonja Klotz enjoys the intensive time with her daughter Paulina at the Bethel children's and youth hospice. Everyday life is faded out, every moment counts. "Hospice means being able to relax," says Sonja Klotz. The mother of four children usually travels with more than just Paulina. Paulina's little sister Josefine also comes along. The programme is for the whole family. Parents stay as if they were in a hotel. Sick children, whose life expectancy is limited, receive nursing and medical care. Siblings are given their own programme. For a while, life feels easier. Paulina's birthday has been celebrated at Bethel Children's and Youth Hospice for years. There is now a 13 on the cake.
Help for the whole family
Aleyna Bulut beams when her mother Perihan Bulut enters the room. She immediately heads towards her in her wheelchair. And then there is a loving hug. The 20-year-old receives regular visits from her parents. Together with her younger sister, she lives in an intensive residential care centre for young people with mental and physical disabilities. The facility is called Noah and is located in the village of Bethel in Bielefeld. Giving up her child was not easy for her, recalls the mother of four. But she could no longer afford the care. Especially because Aleyna's self-harming behaviour increased. At Noah, both daughters are well looked after and cared for around the clock. This is a great relief for the whole family.
