Recently, another impressive container was filled with aid supplies for Africa. For some, this was their first time actively participating, and honestly, it was a remarkable experience. Everyone who attended worked with one goal in mind: to help as many people as possible by loading the container as efficiently and fully as possible.

Stronger together: who was involved?

We loaded the container with a small but motivated team of five: Herman Bruggink, Henk Dassen, Joyce Willems, Paul Willems, and Salah Said. Together, we completely filled a 40-foot container (12.19 meters long x 2.44 meters wide x 2.59 meters high) with supplies and items desperately needed in Egypt.

Donations from all over the Netherlands

The wheelchairs and walkers were donated by Mayra from Hengelo. A special detail is that Dennis from Mayra comes to the storage facility in Holten every two weeks in the evening to carefully inspect all the equipment. This way, we can be sure everything is safe and in good condition.

The electric lifts come from various hospitals across the Netherlands, including:

• Hagaziekenhuis (Den Haag)
• Amphia Ziekenhuis (Breda)
• Catharina Ziekenhuis (Eindhoven)
• Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden

Here too you can see how broad the support is: from Twente to far beyond.

Shoes and school bags: a small gesture, a big difference

Besides the medical supplies, the container also contains many new shoes. These were donated by a market vendor who has retired. These are good, wearable shoes that will bring joy to many people.

The school bags come from the Proplan Foundation in Gouda. Two dedicated women there make around 1,200 bags annually. For this shipment, we were allowed to take 400 bags, specifically destined for Egypt. The Proplan Foundation is also active in Bosnia, supporting widows of Srebrenica victims, among others.

Where is the container going?

The container is going to Egypt. Some of the goods will be distributed in the south of the country, where poverty is widespread. The rest will go to the Nile Delta region, where schoolchildren and disadvantaged people with disabilities will be helped.

Like many other countries, the north of Egypt is economically more developed than the south. For years, the south has struggled with less industry, deprivation, overpopulation, and low education levels. It is precisely in these areas that these donations make a significant difference.

From Gouda to Egypt: the transport

The container is supplied by De Baanderij, a long-standing partner from Gouda with whom we have collaborated for many years. After being filled, the container is transported to the port of Rotterdam. From there, it is transported by ship to Alexandria. It is then transported by truck to Cairo, where the goods are further distributed to the south and the delta region.

The container remains in Africa and gets a second life there, for example as storage space, a workshop, an outpatient clinic, or even as living space. This makes this method of transport not only efficient but also sustainable.

Everything runs on donations and volunteers

The shipping and organization are fully funded by donations and sponsorships. Many companies in Twente and private individuals contribute. In addition, hospital employees donate one euro of their salary each month to charities, including the cost of transporting these containers.

Important to know: all board members are unpaid. No one receives a salary. Everything is done voluntarily, and every euro goes entirely to the cause.

Keep helping together

This container demonstrates what’s possible when people, companies, and organizations collaborate. With medical devices, shoes, and school supplies, we provide not just goods, but also dignity, mobility, and opportunities.

And this certainly isn’t the last container. A new shipment will be leaving soon, including beds and mattresses. Help is still needed, and together we can continue to help.

Help us: your efforts make the difference

To continue this work, helping hands are desperately needed. At ZGT Overzee – Focus for Africa – we work with volunteers who dedicate themselves to logistics, sorting, loading, and organizing. Want to help and be part of this wonderful work? Find out how you can contribute via our website 👉 focusvoorafrika.nl/hoe-kunt-u-helpen/word-vrijwilliger/