Who we are

We are a non-profit organization based in Germany, founded in 2025. Supporting projects in Africa is particularly important to us, in order to give local people a new perspective and positively change their lives.

It is important to us that the change comes from within the communities. That's why we develop projects together with local partners and pay attention to sustainability and transparency.

Together we try to make the world a little better and to provide support where help is needed.

Our motivation

Hi, we're Kerstin and Patrick. Two globetrotters whose hearts beat for adventure. Over the past few years, we've traveled to many countries. We're passionate about constantly broadening our horizons, making the most of every day, boldly forging ahead, stepping outside our comfort zone and always staying true to ourselves. We strive to better understand life in other countries and on other continents – always with the greatest respect for every culture.

On our travels, alongside the wonderful experiences such these journeys usually bring, we also frequently encountered poverty and suffering. After our first trip to the beautiful and welcoming Malawi in October 2024, we decided to intensify our efforts to make the world a better place. The disparity between Germany and Malawi, one of the world's poorest countries, was simply too vast. Just a few days after returning home,
we decided to found an association and almost a year later, we have achieved our goal.

Of course, we could spend our annual vacation relaxing on a beach somewhere – without even wiping the dust off our faces in the evening. But then we wouldn't experience anything at all – not this real life, these many special people and these longings.

And even though we are often exhausted, we are convinced that we are standing up for what is right.

We're grateful to have wonderful people by our side: friends and family who have accompanied us through life for many years. We truly believe that we have the right team by our side for this passion project. With great enthusiasm and commitment, we want to make the world a better place, even in small ways. Every contribution, no matter how small, counts.


An African proverb says:

When many little people in many little places do many little things, the face of the world will change.

In the end...it's always your own choice. That's all. ‎



Our motivation

Hi, we're Kerstin and Patrick. Two globetrotters whose hearts beat for adventure. Over the past few years, we've traveled to many countries. We're passionate about constantly broadening our horizons, making the most of every day, boldly forging ahead, stepping outside our comfort zone and always staying true to ourselves. We strive to better understand life in other countries and on other continents – always with the greatest respect for every culture.

On our travels, alongside the wonderful experiences such these journeys usually bring, we also frequently encountered poverty and suffering. After our first trip to the beautiful and welcoming Malawi in October 2024, we decided to intensify our efforts to make the world a better place. The disparity between Germany and Malawi, one of the world's poorest countries, was simply too vast. Just a few days after returning home, we decided to found an association and almost a year later, we have achieved our goal.

Of course, we could spend our annual vacation relaxing on a beach somewhere – without even wiping the dust off our faces in the evening. But then we wouldn't experience anything at all – not this real life, these many special people and these longings.

And even though we are often exhausted, we are convinced that we are standing up for what is right.

We're grateful to have wonderful people by our side: friends and family who have accompanied us through life for many years. We truly believe that we have the right team by our side for this passion project. With great enthusiasm and commitment, we want to make the world a better place, even in small ways. Every contribution, no matter how small, counts.


An African proverb says:

When many little people in many little places do many little things, the face of the world will change.

In the end...it's always your own choice. That's all. ‎

Board & Team

Patrick Gelsdorf

CEO

Kerstin Stallecker

Deputy CEO

Sabine Lutz

Treasurer

Kerstin Franke

Crew

Michael Lutz

Crew

Edison Franke

Crew

Waltraud Stallecker

Crew

Yankho Langa Charity Program

Yankho Langa Charity is our partner organization in Malawi and supports us locally in implementing our projects. Angella and Edgar are involved with great passion and energy in our local projects - without them, our heartfelt project would not be feasible.

Yankho Langa Charity is an organization founded under Explore Africa DMC and pursues the passionate mission of improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable widows in Malawi.

Yankho Langa Charity Program

Yankho Langa Charity is our partner organization in Malawi and supports us locally in implementing our projects. Angella and Edgar are involved with great passion and energy in our local projects - without them, our heartfelt project would not be feasible.


Yankho Langa Charity is an organization founded under Explore Africa DMC and pursues the passionate mission of improving the lives of orphans and vulnerable widows in Malawi.


4LIFE – What we stand for

“4” stands for our four life promises -  the pillars we want to strengthen equally and in an interconnected way:

1. For education -  Change lives and create opportunities.

2. For nutrition -  Nourish life and increase climate resilience.

3. For health -  Protect life and safeguard dignity.

4. For the environment -  Preserving livelihoods.

4LIFE stands for a life system.  Education doesn't work without nutrition, health doesn't work without clean water and the environment doesn't work without prospects.

LIFE – How we work

(our values)

LIFE – How we work

(our values)


L*ocal Listening &
Learning


Meaning:

We don't start with solutions – we start with listening. Local reality trumps any external assumption.
Only those who were there in person can truly have a say.


This is how it manifests itself in practice:

We develop projects with communities - not for them.

We respect local knowledge, culture, and priorities.


We learn iteratively: piloting – feedback – improvement.


Guiding principle:

Nothing happens without the involvement of the local people.


I*ntegrity &
Transparency


Meaning:

Trust is our responsibility. We act honestly, responsibly and transparently.


This is how it manifests itself in practice:

Clear roles, clean financial processes, zero tolerance for corruption.

Communicate effects and limitations openly – even if something doesn't work out. Decisions are documented and explained.


Guiding principle:

We are accountable – not only to the local people but also to our donors.


F*air Partnership & 
Future Focus


Meaning:

We work on an equal footing and think long-term and sustainably rather than short-term.

This is how it manifests itself in practice:

Local partners lead, we support – Independence instead of dependence.

The goal: Projects should be able to continue without us as well.


Guiding principle:

Shaping the future together.


E*mpowerment & Evidence


Meaning:

Help is good – empowerment is better. And it must demonstrably work.


This is how it manifests itself in practice:

Focus on self-efficacy: skills, resources, rights, access.


Guiding principle:

We invest in people – and examine what truly improves lives.


How these values interact

L ensures that we approach the issue in the right way.

I  ensures that we remain trustworthy.

F ensures that we work in a sustainable and fair way.

E ensures that the impact remains and grows.

4LIFE stands for:  learning locally, acting with integrity, working fairly/in partnership, and effectively empowering people – for education, nutrition, health and the environment.