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).

EEM Switzerland provides humanitarian aid to impoverished areas in Eastern Europe. Our experienced local staff provides essential assistance to those in need. Our ultimate goal is to empower people to help themselves. Our aid enables those in need to lead independent, dignified lives. That is why we prioritize sustainable projects. For instance, we give our best to ensure that children from impoverished families receive a quality education. This includes providing them with sufficient and regular food, clothing, and school supplies. Children cannot learn if they are hungry or lack basic necessities. This kind of lasting help often takes many years or decades per family but the result justifies the effort. We also provide financial relief for large, impoverished families so their children can grow up with fewer worries and less violence at home. This allows them to focus more on learning (child sponsorships). We are building new houses for families living in inhumane barracks, for a higher standard of living highly encourages essential rethinking. This is one of our most sustainable projects because a decent house can lift a family out of poverty - for generations to come.

The OEMCH (Eastern Europe Mission Switzerland) is a small charity organization. However, this has the advantages of greater transparency and relatively low administrative expenses at 20% of income. We all know each other personally, the employees and many of the aid recipients. If money is donated for a specific purpose or person, it quickly and easily reaches the intended recipient. Those in need are always our focus—not just numbers, but faces and stories that have become part of our lives. This direct exchange also keeps us emotionally connected. The people we work with touch our hearts, and we can hardly wait to provide them with the help they need. That's why we offer a wide range of projects and opportunities to help. We don't focus on one specific type of help apart from educational projects and initiatives that have lasting impact. Because the person or family in need is our priority, the help we provide is diverse and adapted to their particular circumstances.

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."