The Beginning

The "Hilfsaktion Noma e.V.�? Regensburg was founded by Ute Winkler-Stumpf in 1994. In order to help effectively, the organization's work remains focused on Niger, which is considered the world's poorest country. A television program made Ms. Winkler-Stumpf aware of the disease. The teacher immediately decided to help. At first, she planned to collect money to help one child. After two children from Niger (Binia, 8, and Issiaka, 6) had been operated in Regensburg, Ms. Winkler-Stumpf was able to grasp the extent of the suffering in Niger with her own eyes as she accompanied the children back home. After her return, she decided to found the organization together with several friends in order to make a difference.

In the beginning, children were operated free of charge by plastic surgeons exclusively in Germany, Mallorca and Austria. The logistical and financial requirements soon surpassed the organization's means. Host families and surgeons had to be found to volunteer their help. Expensive hospital stays, medical treatment in intensive care units and flights from Africa to Europe had to be paid for as well. Even for children, a flight from Germany to Niger costs about 1,300 to 1,500 Euro. In order to help more patients, the organization had to find a way to operate in Niger. This was also better for the children, since they did not have to be taken out of their familiar environment. But the medical infrastructure in Niger was not sufficient for these operations.