Ute Winkler Stumpf (center) with German President Horst Köhler and his wife, Eva Luise, at the awards ceremony

Copyright: German Federal Press Office

German Federal Order of Merit for Ute Winkler-Stumpf

On Dec. 5, 2008, German President Horst Köhler awarded HAN President Ute Winkler-Stumpf with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany at his official residence, Berlin's Bellevue Palace.

She gladly accepted this commendation for the work of the organization – on behalf of all those, who have supported HAN's work over the years.

"Today our country symbolically says 'Thank You' to you," President Köhler said in his speech," Ute Winkler-Stumpf said. "I would like to pass on this "Thank You" to you – in the name of children with noma, and with great happiness and gratitude for your support."