Involvement with family – former bankers found life in distant Africa

“I was a man of numbers, planning, the safe manners,” Binder said. For decades, the financial expert from Hainfeld, Lilienfeld District had worked in international banking – responsibility, efficiency, strategy were his daily life. Until he took a radical step with his wife Sabine and the children Helena (13) and Jakob (11): six months Tanzania!

Africa daily life instead of vacation
The family lived in Arusha for six months in the north of the country. In a simple apartment, between the honking motorcycles, street stands and chickens. No vacation, but really daily life. In the morning they helped in an educational project for children from the worst conditions. English, math, a hot meal – and a lot of attention. “And yet there was this joie de vivre. Honest, loud, contagious,” says Binder.

Respect and curiosity
The children played with the same age in the red matter, learned Swahili words and what it means to share. The parents helped teach, cook, organize – and especially: with existence. The family also traveled to Remote Massai villages through friends from Friends-Iren and Rudi Dräxler, who have been supporting food in the region for years, but especially on respect and curiosity. “We were welcomed with open arms, although we have not taken anything except time,” Sabine recalls.

Africa changed life
Back in the parental home in Hainfeld, much is the same as six months ago – and yet nothing like before. Because Helena and Jakob now wear Africa in their hearts like their parents. And it is clear to the young people: “We’ll be back with mum and dad!”