Mende Nazer Foundation

Freed slave wants to help – Mende Nazer and Tom Høyem assist village in Sudan

Mende Nazer was held as a slave for twelve years of her life. As a child, she was kidnapped by slave traders from her village in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. She was later raped, abused and sold as a slave. Today she is free. With the help of a journalist, she wrote the books “Slave” and “Free”, which became bestsellers. Now she wants to do something for her troubled hometown and region of origin.

Through detours and truly incredible coincidences, the 30 year old (who does not know her exact age) met Janan Sutherland, a lieutenant in the Canadian army, FDP Councillor Tom Høyem, Head of the European School, Karlsruhe and Marina Sohn from Heidelberg – all of whom want to support her in her efforts to help her homeland. The first step was taken last weekend, when the Mende Nazer non-profit organisation was set up, with Tom Høyem as chairman. According to Mr Høyem, the aim is for the organisation to become the Mende Nazer Foundation. This transition would require an initial investment of 50000 euros of which 10000 euros have been raised so far.

“The purpose of the organisation is the establishment of educational facilities for children and young people in the Nuba Mountains region of Sudan”, said Høyem. With the competent authorities in Sudan, suitable sites are to be selected, educational facilities to be planned and the necessary finances made available. As the chairman pointed out, the organisation’s funding can also be used to solve the acute water shortage problem in the region as well as for the building of wells. Those interested in helping this area of Sudan can do so by making a donation to account 108 687 880 Sparkasse Karlsruhe, bank code 660 501 01.