German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association (Deutsches Aussätzigen-Hilfswerk - DAHW)
Millions of sick people and outcasts have got medical treatment or social support through the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association (DAHW). The registered association was founded in the year 1957 as the Deutsches Aussätzigen-Hilfswerk” (German Leprosy Relief Association – DAHW). Since that time DAHW has been giving sustainable assistance to sick and marginalised people in developing and emerging countries – irrespective of political or religious belief.
At the beginning of 2003 the association changed its name so as to reflect the other major focus of its work, tuberculosis, in its name, too. The acronym DAHW is still used to ease recognition of donors and long-standing supporter
SEAL OF APPROVAL
Around 70,000 people entrust their donations to DAHW annually, many of whom have been doing so for decades. This relief association has been awarded the “Seal of Approval” from the German Institute for Social Affairs (Deutsches Zentralinstitut für Soziale Fragen – DZI) for many years now for its responsible use of donated funds.
In the scope of the 2010 prize for transparency DAHW German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association was classed as outstanding for the high quality of its reporting.
DAHW IN THE FIELD
DAHW relief projects comply with the needs of each place and are very varied: they range from supporting a single hospital, to the training of government health staff to supporting disabled and marginalised people. DAHW co-operates with churches as project holders, with other relief organisations or with government health services. On the spot, mostly local co-workers of DAHW ensure the sustainability of the work and funds are used prudently. In many projects even former patients are working for DAHW. Support for victims of diseases of poverty in Asia, Africa and Latin America is at the heart of DAHW’s engagement.
DAHW IN GERMANY
More than 2,000 people volunteer for DAHW. They collect donations, provide information about the diseases and invite others to join them in their activities also. In many cities these volunteers have formed action groups and organise bigger events as well.See more