Caring for People and Animals in an Original Way

”Nothing good happens unless you do it," Erich Kästner once said. Today, the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been established for enterprises' social or corporate commitments.

At SAF AG, the mountain gorillas threatened by extinction in east African Rwanda, as well as the people living there, have the greatest priority among CSR activities. During a military campaign in 1902, these giant black apes were discovered by Friedrich Robert von Beringe, the grandfather of Dr. Andreas von Beringe, today’s CEO of SAF. After visiting the region, the grandson could not forget the fate of the gentle giant apes and the hardship of the people shaken by crisis and war.

Various relief activities developed against this background. In addition to lectures and a documentary film in which Dr. Andreas von Beringe participated, exposing a broad public to the problems the endangered gorillas face, SAF is supports the "Imbabazi Orphanage" in Gisenyi, on Lake Kivu. There, the children - mostly war orphans - not only receive the resources for a better life, but also learn to recognize the importance of protecting the nature and animals of their homeland.

SAF continues to keep its promise to support the people and the giant gorillas in this crisis-plagued, East African country. At the end of February, the Austrian veterinarian, Dr. Manfred Hochleithner, on behalf of the Organization Endangered, handed-over a donation in the amount of US $ 5,000 to the “Imbabazi Orphanage“ in Gisengi. 50 percent of this donation was raised through the SAF AG Christmas Card Program. It will form the financial basis for an urgently needed isolation station, as many children suffer from infectious diseases, and the danger of infection can finally be eliminated.

Shoes for Barefoot Orphan Children

Something taken for granted in civilized countries orphan children in Rwanda can only dream about: good shoes on their feet. Walking barefoot is one of the most frequent causes of disease. Many transmitters of disease enter the human body through open wounds or infections on the feet. In order to help protect the children against disease, SAF initiated, in cooperation with the Hamburg Otto mail order company, a shoe donation. Within the framework of this donation initiative, Otto will donate 180 pairs of children’s shoes. SAF will cover the shipping costs and ensure that the shoes really reach the orphanage.

Christ Child Flies to Ruanda

Each year, SAF sends the Christ Child to orphan children in Ruanda. For Christmas 2007, SAF again donates EUR 3,- for each Christmas Card sent. That way, a total of EUR 4,500 was made available to fund Christmas gifts for 57 children in the Rwaza Orphanage in the Ruandan village of Rwaza. This donation not only delighted the children there on Christmas. It will also help the children to better endure the trials of daily life there and provide them with medical care.

For Christmas 2006 SAF made a Christmas Card campaign to raise funds to help Rwanda. For each card sent, EUR 3,- were given as a donation to "The Imbabazi Orphanage". And to draw the public to this country SAF use a workbook it developed in house.