THE TEAM BEHIND AKTION REGEN
The implementation of our projects, the accompaniment of the Rain Workers in the African project countries and the further development of the Aktion Regen — Education Programs is only possible thanks to the great commitment of our volunteers! Thank you for dedicating a large part of your heart to Aktion Regen
for so long and continuously and for beeing involved in all aspects of Aktion Regen!
Thank you to the staff at our headquarters in Vienna — you not only work — you fulfill your tasks with passion and dedication!
BOARD
Doctor of Gynecology and Obstetrics, with 40 years of experience practicing medicine. Trained blind women to perform breast cancer examinations. Founder and chairwoman of Aktion Regen, and development worker. Undertook lectures throughout Austria offering knowledge in exchange for donations to build up Aktion Regen.
GP in private practice in Lienz, Tyrol. Medical consultant for various development projects, and Rain Worker Trainer with Aktion Regen. Worked on projects in India, Bangladesh and the Philippines and manages projects for Aktion Regen in Kenya, Sudan and Senegal.
Psychologist, Social worker, and organizational consultant. Conducted numerous projects abroad and worked as an educational consultant in India and South Africa. Founded and directs the multicultural theater group “Die Fremden”. Manages Aktion Regen’s projects in Ethiopia.
Tax advisor until retirement in 2012, since then volunteer with Aktion Regen. Responsible for payroll accounting for the NGO.
Industrial and mechanical engineer. Managed the Austrian branch of an international electronics company until 1999, retired in 2000 and has been volunteering with Aktion Regen since 2012.
Full-time financial, donation and project manager for the NGO Amina (Aktion for Menschen in Not, Vienna).
HEAD OFFICE
Communication specialist, life and social counselor, family and health coach, historian. Experienced in marketing activities at Austria. Red Cross; Psycholog. Consulting and coaching practice for families, women, children. Establishment and management of the family center “Menschengarten” .
I was born in Zambia and grew up in Austria and have always been very interested in intercultural and humanitarian issues. I have been involved in numerous private initiatives for “my” people in Zambia, e.g. through the organisation of education- and hygiene-aid-deliveries; it is close to my heart to do something for the people in my continent of origin and I am happy to now learn more about DC work through Aktion Regen and to personally make positive contributions to Africa; why Aktion Regen? I have known Maria Hengstberger since the foundation of AR and — finally — have the chance and opportunity to actively participate!
Social anthropologist, from 2005 to 2015 employed as a researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and guest lecturer at national and international universities. Research in Libya and Niger and author of several books and numerous articles. Chairwoman of AMINA, co-founder of IMARAN, Aoociation Autriche-Niger. Employed as Project Coördinator at Aktion Regen since 2018 and Programme Manager since 2019.
Honorary Consul of Mali, Aktion Regen Trainer and Project Manager for Mali. Responsible for networking among the African Diaspora Communities in Vienna. Master of European Studies and PhD student at the Institute for Political Science and International Relations at the University of Vienna.
Managed the secretariat from 2000 to 09/2020, in addition to administration, accounting and correspondence-supporting for Dr. Hengstberger in implementing her vision. “As a long-time employee, I have witnessed the steady development of our association. It is wonderful for me to see what Aktion Regen has achieved over the years and to observe how initial small ideas eventually grow into large projects that positively influence and improve the lives of thousands of women in Africa. It fills me with pride to be able to make a small contribution to this.” The correct completion of the bookkeeping is also a matter close to her heart in retirement.
RAIN DOCTORS AND TRAINERS
Experienced Community health and medical laboratory technologist with over 20 years’ experience in medical laboratory technology and over 5 years overall experience in lecturing, training, facilitating in both public and private universities in Kenya. Consultant on sexual reproductive health among young people, and for private and Non-Governmental Organizations.
Hebamme und Leiterin des Mirembe Medical Centers in Ssumbwe, Uganda. / Midwife and headmaster of the Mirembe Medical Center in Ssumbwe, Uganda / Sage-femme et directrice du centre médical Mirembe à Ssumbwe, Ouganda.
Student der Medizin, Aktion Regen Rain Worker Trainer seit 2019 in Uganda / Student of Medical Studies, since 2019 Aktion Regen Rain Worker Trainer in Uganda / Étudiant en médecine, Aktion Regen Rain Worker Trainer en Ouganda depuis 2019.
Experienced program specialist, and monitoring and evaluation focal person in KMG ETHIOPIA (www.kmgselfhelp.org) with skills in programmes development and management, community and social services. Currently managing projects focusing on gender, children, youth and other marginalized societies in Ethiopia. Since 2015 working as lead trainer of Rain Workers and project focal Person for Aktion Regen project in KMG Ethiopia.
Retired banker and with a speciality in marketing. Founder member of “Together in Action” (CBO) focusing on Girl child-women and Gender Based Rights issues. Civic Educator/trainer with 20 years experience. Worked with FEMNET and UN women on advocacy, civic education platforms. Since 2020 trainer for Aktion Regen in Kenya.
Academic health and clinical Psychologist; Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Coach, Self-employed since 1980 in her Psychotherapeutic office; Since 2007 humanitarian support in Sudan as Consultant; 2014 foundation of EMotion – NGO for Social Development in Austria; Aktion Regen is the project partner of EMotion in Sudan since 2017.
Honorary Consul of Mali, Aktion Regen Trainer and Project Manager for Mali. Responsible for networking among the African Diaspora Communities in Vienna. Master of European Studies and PhD student at the Institute for Political Science and International Relations at the University of Vienna.
GP in private practice in Lienz, Tyrol. Medical consultant for various development projects, and Rain Worker Trainer with Aktion Regen. Worked on projects in India, Bangladesh and the Philippines and manages projects for Aktion Regen in Kenya, Sudan and Senegal.
Psychologist, Social worker, and organizational consultant. Conducted numerous projects abroad and worked as an educational consultant in India and South Africa. Founded and directs the multicultural theater group “Die Fremden”. Manages Aktion Regen’s projects in Ethiopia.
Doctor of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Mistelbach. Volunteer at Aktion Regen since 2012. Rain Worker Trainer, advisor and educational consultant on family planning and contraceptives in various area, manager of Aktion Regen’s projects in Uganda.
Social worker. Work with various NGOs in Kenya, where she was born, since 1980. E.g. the “Green Belt Movement” and “The Nest” a project for homeless youth in Limuru. Co-founder and board member of the NGO TUKUTANE. Developed a project for the protection of Maasai Girl’s from FGM and early marriage in 2000, in Kajiado, Kenya. Project management for Kenya and Rain Worker trainings in Kenya (in Akamba, Kikuyu, Kiswahili, English, German) since 2011.
Psychotherapist, coach and organizational consultant. Founder of Emotion, Institute for personality and organizational development, psychotherapy, body psychotherapy and body work, and chairwoman of the partner association EMotion, association for social development. Rain Worker and Project Manager of Aktion Regen’s projects in Sudan.
operational staff
Trained as a social pedagogue and social anthropologist, I work part-time in mobile support for children and young people at HABIT; I also support AMREF on a voluntary basis; I gained important DC and socio-cultural experience as a volunteer in an orphanage in Ghana and with Masai in Tanzania; I am socially involved in several areas because it is important to me that every single person in this world can lead a self-determined and happy life. Through Aktion Regen, I can make a significant contribution to this for girls and women in Africa.
Former library clerk at the secretariat of the United Nations Department of International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Specialist in HIV/AIDS. Undertook the U.N. HIV / AIDS Facilitation Training in Vienna in 2005 and the Enchada HIV / AIDS trainer course in 2008. Since 2008 consultant for HIV / AIDS prevention for employees at the United Nations in Vienna. Has been volunteering to teach HIV / AIDS prevention and sexual and reproductive health education in Eritrea yearly since 2001.
Interdisciplinary Advisory Board
Professional career as an investment expert in a bank; since 2006, implementation of several humanitarian projects, e.g. with Caritas Upper Austria for people with disabilities, training for management and care institutions, project SPAR-Caritas Markt Wels for women re-entering the labour market with a migration background and older unemployed people, project afternoon care for pupils in the learning café; “Aktion Regen” I have known since the mid-90s — as a new advisory board member, I want to actively contribute my ideas to brain storming processes. My husband Alfred and I recognise family planning as the most effective measure to fight poverty worldwide. Overpopulation is also the most important trigger for climate change — that’s why we are active for Aktion Regen!”
After gaining experience in the food and feed industry and as head of a technical college, since 1990 university lecturer for cereal and bakery technology at the BOKU, Institute of Food Technology, currently project focus on climate change and cereal management; President of the ICC — Austria, INTERNAT. GES. FÜR GETREIDEWISSENSCHAFT U. TECHNOLOGIE — AUSTRIA; active in the Rotary Club Wels Nova and in humanitarian projects; board member and honorary member of the Austrian Society for Nutrition; “As a member of the advisory board, I want to provide networking support, especially by linking the Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development with Aktion Regen.”
Specialist in contract, commercial and civil law; in her office: Viktoria Neuner she supports people with commitment and legal expertise.
Aktion Regen founding member and board member until 2013; has been a committed contributor to the development and growth of Aktion Regen alongside his wife, Maria Hengstberger, since 1989, contributing his organisational knowledge as a former executive in a chemical company. He is Aktion Regen’s in-house specialist for company organisation, statutes, agreements and contracts. Herbert’s motto: “There’s nothing good unless you do it!” is something he has lived by every day for Aktion Regen for over 30 years.
expertise / Consultation
Medical anthropologist and FGM Expert at the Center for Public Health at the Medical University of Vienna. Academic research topics include sexual and reproductive health, female genital mutilation (FGM / C), migrant health, community engagement health initiatives, and the lives of health workers. Lead research in the EU Horizon 2020 project SoNAR-Global: A Global Social Sciences Network for Infectious Threats and Antimicrobial, and previously worked for MSF and WHO (Ebola Response). Cooperated in EU projects at the Medical University of Vienna, such as HURAPRIM — Human Resources for African Primary Health Care, and EUR-HUMAN: European Refugees — Human Movement and Advisory Network.
Academically certified organizational consultant, coach and supervisor. Previously head of the international programs (development coöperation and rehabilitation) department at the Austrian Caritas Headquarters. Self-employed since 2018, working in international project consultation, international development, moderation, and coaching. E‑mail: coaching@matu.at
Trainer and youth coach, social counsellor, academic orientalist and geologist; born in Algeria — has been living and working with family in Austria for many years; Fatima supports Aktion Regen with French translations for the education sector; her passion lies in the empowerment of women and girls and the goal of achieving true gender equality.
Horst Haslacher Identity Design, Expert in Visual identity development and graphic design, as well as systemic design. Member of Design Austria, climbing trainer
Paediatrician and health consultant. Medical training at Alfatih University in Tripoli and the University Hospital in Sebha, Libya. Health trainer at the women’s health center FEM Süd since 2007 and developer of the project “Health promotion for African and Arab women with a focus on female genital mutilation (FGM)”.
Former library clerk at the secretariat of the United Nations Department of International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Specialist in HIV/AIDS. Undertook the U.N. HIV / AIDS Facilitation Training in Vienna in 2005 and the Enchada HIV / AIDS trainer course in 2008. Since 2008 consultant for HIV / AIDS prevention for employees at the United Nations in Vienna. Has been volunteering to teach HIV / AIDS prevention and sexual and reproductive health education in Eritrea yearly since 2001.