Leonore Semler
In 1963, Michael Wood traveled to Germany to set up a local AMREF fundraising organisation. He approached a wealthy financier, Dr. Johannes Semler to ask for help, but the Doctor was then standing for the European Parliament and felt he was too busy to become involved. During that meeting, Michael mentioned to Semler and his young wife Leonore that John F. Kennedy had asked him to help establish the US Peace Corps in Kenya.
A few days later, the news broke that JFK had been assassinated and Leonore, moved by the tragedy, went back to Michael Wood and agreed to begin fundraising. In only a few days with the help of Prince Constantine of Bavaria, AMREF Germany had its first donation of DM 10,000.
Not long afterwards, Mrs. Semler managed to convince Mr. Walter Scheel, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, to pay the salary for a surgeon and paediatrician in AMREF, and to donate an aeroplane.
The cost of transporting this new aircraft to Africa by ship was very expensive, so Leonore came up with an unusual solution- she employed a professional pilot to fly the plane directly, on a dramatic journey across North Africa through sand storms and tropical rains.
The modern day AMREF Germany is the result of Leonore Semler’s dedication. It is an important and essential branch of AMREF and since its inception has brought in millions of Euros to AMREF in East and Southern Africa.
She lived for many years in Africa, where she was widely known as “Mama AMREF”. Leonore devoted many years of service to the AMREF Board, and in 2000 was elected Honorary Director.
When she returned to Germany she donated part of her family home to be used as AMREF Germany offices, enabling AMREF Germany to send 96% of all its donations directly to AMREF's work in Africa, and for the office to have the lowest running costs of all the 12 international support offices.
The German Government conferred upon her one of Germany's highest orders for her social work: "Das Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland".
Anyone who has had the privilege to know and work with Leonore Semler cannot but be affected by her very special and personal commitment not only to AMREF, but also to its staff and the people we serve.
Read about other AMREF Champions.
Fast Fact 43 years on, Leonore has almost single-handed raised over $30 million for AMREF's work in Africa. |
