TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE
In the past, the Werner Erkes Foundation has relied on partnerships with German and African associations and NGOs, particularly for its projects in Africa. This has resulted in great educational projects based on mutual trust and respect.
In order to achieve an even higher level of quality in the projects and cooperation over many thousands of kilometers, WES has decided to move closer to the people and projects.
Three new foundations were established in Masaka (Uganda, East Africa), Swakopmund (Namibia, Southern Africa) and Kaolack (Senegal, West Africa). These NGOs are managed by directors who have gained their life and project experience both in Germany and in their African country of birth or over many years in their adopted country of Africa. They are familiar with the problems of the people in these regions and know how to deal with the challenges there in terms of politics, authorities and cultures.
Thanks to the close personal contacts and now shorter distances, we will achieve our goals - the construction of many educational facilities such as kindergartens, elementary school, vocational schools, sports facilities, boarding schools, orphanages, etc. - even faster.
All future projects will find their home under the umbrella of the respective WE Foundation, which will construct the buildings and assume responsibility for them. This is the only way to guarantee the economically secure and sustainable development of the projects.
However, we are still dependent on close cooperation with other established associations in Germany on the one hand and NGOs in the crisis countries on the other, particularly in Africa.
All relevant organizations that can imagine successful and secure project work integrated into the WE Foundations are welcome to contact us.
OUR PROJECTS IN EASTERN EUROPE AN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
On the Moldovan border in eastern Romania, our boarding school & day centre enables children from precarious circumstances to attend public schools on a regular basis.
Our sports hall was opened in 2024 in the immediate vicinity of the boarding school, enabling our children to play, do sports and have fun, especially during the cold season.
The further construction of our IMLS music school was halted due to suspected corruption.
The OPEN DOORS EDUCATION CENTRE was opened in 2024. It offers a wide range of training courses for all situations in life, complementing the state school system.
NEW - Our latest project opened its doors in January 2026. The WEF HORIZON Primary School is a unique school complex located in the middle of the informal settlement DRC in Swakopmund, Namibia.
WES and REP (Reach the Poor) are building a school of excellence that will enable children to progress from nursery school through primary school to the end of their education.
The Werner Erkes Foundation East Africa financed the kindergarten, which was built in the immediate vicinity of Sunrise Primary School in Nkamba.
WEF West Africa financed the construction of an entire floor. The endowment fund in Osterode EDF and the Association AKS in Kaolack are responsible for operating the complex.
The Werner Erkes Sports Facility is part of the EDF Education Complex. The sports field and the integrated building with toilets and changing rooms are also rented out to local sports clubs.
In 2025, the second floor and thus the first building were completed. Over 150 children attend the Kinder Zentrum International School, which has a total of nine teachers.
Construction of our new WEF school complex in Kaolack (Senegal) is about to begin.