OUR TEAM IN BÄRETSWIL

In 1967, Dutch pastor Kees van Olst founded the Eastern Europe Mission, establishing its headquarters in Mödling, near Vienna. From there, couriers traveled to former communist countries behind the Iron Curtain from Austria, Switzerland, England, the Netherlands, and Germany to encourage Christian communities. They smuggled in food for body and soul and set up practical services, such as a child sponsorship program.

In Switzerland, Eelco de Boer, a childhood friend of van Olst, and his wife, Elsbeth, founded Osteuropa-Mission Schweiz (OEMCH) in 1969. They have run it together on a voluntary basis from the beginning until today. Following the death of Ceaușescu and the collapse of communism, new opportunities to help emerged. People in need could finally be openly supported, and the areas of work expanded considerably.

Despite many improvements, large parts of the Eastern population still live in poverty. Our successful aid projects include:

• Sponsorship programs
• Educational projects
• Construction projects
• Transport of relief supplies
• Soup kitchens
• Food parcels
• Christmas/holiday parcels
• Refugee aid
• Help for people with disabilities
• Holiday camps for children
• Support for senior citizens in Tbilisi
• Support for volunteers in the East
• Special help for families or communities in particular need

OEM Switzerland collaborates with partner organizations in other countries, such as OEM Austria and OEM Norway. Our main partner is OEM Hungary (Kelet-Európa Misszió in Inárcs), which acts as a bridge between East and West. We also have partner organizations in Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Georgia, and the USA (Mercy Projects).

The objective of OEMCH is to provide comprehensive humanitarian aid to the regions of Eastern Europe that are most severely affected by poverty. Our experienced local staff provide holistic and urgent assistance to those in need, including the disadvantaged and those who suffer discrimination. OEM projects aim to empower those affected so that they can eventually lead autonomous and dignified lives. For this reason, we place particular emphasis on sustainable projects. One example is providing support to enable children from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive a good education. Another important aspect is ensuring that children have regular access to sufficient food, clothing and school supplies. We also focus on construction projects to enable children to grow up more carefree and encourage them to concentrate on their studies. The higher standard of living, compared to the inhumane barracks, aims to encourage a fundamental rethink thanks to the new, secure living situation. These construction and renovation projects are particularly sustainable because having a safe home increases self-esteem and has a positive effect on the health of the residents. The measures described also lead to a significant reduction in violence (e.g. verbal abuse). Therefore, our highest priority is helping others to help themselves and leave poverty behind forever.

However, we cannot abandon those who are no longer able to help themselves. This could be because of advanced age, incurable illnesses, disabilities or a lack of family support. For example, this could happen if a person has already lost all their close family members.

Conclusion: Our primary goal is to provide genuine charity and assistance. To this end, we have developed a wide range of support services. Another central concern for us and our employees is informing those in need about God, Jesus Christ. He loves them and, if they desire it, he will help them from the inside out and remain with them forever — unlike us. Therefore, Christ can help them far more than our limited human assistance ever could. Therefore, we cannot withhold this knowledge. However, a willingness to believe in Christ or accept prayer is not a prerequisite for receiving our help. On the contrary, prayer is merely an additional service offered by OEM and has been found to be the most effective option available — by far.

Eelco de Boer (President)
Jakob Albisser (Vice President)
Elsbeth de Boer-Weidmann (treasurer, editor)
Edgar Urech (consultant, secretary)

Hanspeter Hausammann (Assessor)

"We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, revealed through His Word and in human form: as Jesus Christ, named His only begotten Son; conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, crucified, died and buried; descended into the realm of the dead, rose from the dead on the third day, ascended back to heaven and exalted at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God for God is Spirit (John 4:24), and the holy worldwide body of believers, as well as forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting. Amen."