“Small change, a big help“ is the motto of HelpAlliance, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. An independent aid organisation, HelpAlliance was founded by Lufthansa staff in 1999. Its aim is to provide help to self-help on a sustained basis.

Ever since its foundation, members of the organisation have given freely of their free time in nurturing numerous aid projects around the world. They help the poorest of the poor, support children’s nurseries and schools, promote vocational training and institute health and medical care.

HelpAlliance currently oversees 15 projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Rumania. In natural disasters, like the tsunami catastrophe in southeast Asia in 2004, the organisation furnishes fast and spontaneous aid. Along with the projects it supports and relief aid in disasters, HelpAlliance assists on a temporary basis a steadily rising number of projects initiated by Lufthansa staff.

Lufthansa staff assume personal responsibility for the correct use of donations and ensure that the funds are invested where they are needed. HelpAlliance cooperates locally with on-site project partners, who possess lengthy experience in development work.

From Day One, Lufthansa has supported HelpAlliance financially and logistically, for example, by providing airfreight capacities on board its aircraft. In 2000, Sabine Weber, wife of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, took over as patroness of the air organisation.