Since 2 November 2016 Brazilian Silvana de Carvalho Klein (45) officially is part of CITIES WITHOUT HUNGER Germany’s team. During her visit in Berlin, we interviewed the mother of two sons, aged six and eleven.

When did you get to know the founder of CITIES WITHOUT HUNGER, Hans Dieter Temp and the organization’s work?

A friend from Italy introduced me to Hans Dieter Temp in Rio de Janeiro, the city where I was born. At some point, however, we lost sight of each other. In November 1999, I moved to Germany because I wanted to live with my husband who I got to know on holidays in Brazil. Since August 2015, we have been living in Zorneding, a suburb of Munich.

Two years ago, I coincidentally found Hans Dieter on Facebook. This is how I have become aware of his work and of CITIES WITHOUT HUNGER. In order to keep track of their activities I ‘liked’ the organization’s page.

When I saw that Hans Dieter was to hold a presentation on his work in Aying, a village about 15 kilometers away from my home, I was thrilled. I had the opportunity to see him again, after all these years, and get first-hand information on the work of CITIES WITHOUT HUNGER.

What fascinates you about CITIES WITHOUT HUNGER’s work?

The idea is just great! It combines commitment for our earth with a perspective for people. Being Brazilian, I do know the situation in favelas and in the periphery of cities like Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo. There, we face so much hopelessness and lack of future perspectives. Many people who live in these areas just do not find any job. And those who have spent their lives working in the informal economy as unskilled laborers or as unregistered housemaid have no financial or social security when they get old.

Hans Dieter Temp’s projects give hope to these people. He shows them ways to escape poverty and gives them the opportunity to create something with their own hands. Participation in the garden projects helps them take back control on their lives. Hans Dieter’s enthusiasm is contagious. His power to change the reality conveys itself to others.

How come you decided to support CITIES WITHOUT HUNGER Germany’s team?

It was exactly this: Hans Dieter’s enthusiasm inspired me. After his speech, he gave me some flyers that I immediately distributed amongst people in my environment. I put the flyers in doctor’s surgeries and wrote to the drugstore chain dm.

Furthermore, I informed people within my social network about the work of CITIES WITHOUT HUNGER, for example people who work for Siemens. Moreover, I spoke to kindergartens and schools.

I really want to advance this commitment in the metropolitan area of Munich, where I live. I am very concerned about improving the situation of people living under difficult conditions in my home country and want to contribute to enabling them to earn their own income.