High award for long-standing terre des hommes cooperation partners
Gabriele and Bernhard Mutsaers receive the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
On behalf of the Federal President, Barbara Otte-Kienast, Lower Saxony's Minister for Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection, awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Gabriele and Bernhard Mutsaers. The two managing partners of the Osnabrück-based Bedford sausage and ham manufactory have been selling the "Osnabrück Peace Ham" for 18 years, with one euro from the proceeds of every ham sold going to terre des hommes . The partnership, launched in 2003, has already raised over one million euros. Until 2015, these funds supported a school project in Angola; since 2016, the donations have benefited children and their families in Myanmar and the Thai border region with Myanmar, providing them with schooling and medical assistance in refugee camps.
In her laudatory speech, Minister Otte-Kinast thanked the Mutsaers siblings for their commitment. "Lower Saxony needs responsible doers like you," she emphasized. "As a politician, I travel a lot and am still constantly amazed by how many wonderful people we have here."
Wolf-Christian Ramm, press spokesman for terre des hommes conveyed the children's aid organization's gratitude. "Behind what you two have achieved over the past 18 years lies an attitude that is more important today than ever: solidarity and a willingness to help, initiative and the readiness to share with people who need support. For this, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and are delighted for you to receive this wonderful award," said Ramm.