Dentists for Africa (DfA) continues to grow: With a newly appointed board of directors and expanded staff and volunteer structures, the organization is continuing its work on sustainable dental and social projects in Kenya.
The German board works as a cohesive team, bringing together diverse professional backgrounds and experiences that enrich the work of DfA. Dr. Beate Scheuner, a dentist from Halle/Saale, is particularly involved in the Dental Care Program following several missions to Kenya. Nicholas Koech, a former DfA sponsored child and trained Community Oral Health Officer, contributes not only his personal story but also his professional experience from working in the Kenyan healthcare system. Dr. Lutz Kohl, a computer scientist who works in business development at a software company in Jena, supports DfA particularly in the areas of fundraising, public relations, and organizational development. Robert Höfig, a graduate in business administration, a banker, and head of the Controlling and University Development Office at a university in Jena, serves as treasurer, managing the association’s finances, and has also supported DfA for many years in the area of digitalization. Daniela Schröder, an executive at a German aviation company with a technical and organizational background, is particularly committed to the further development of the widows’ cooperative and the expansion of volunteer structures.
Full-time and volunteer staff work hand in hand
The board is supported by a team of full-time and volunteer staff. This includes Program Manager Anne-Kristin Henker, Gabriele Hüttig as an administrative staff member, and Dr. Isa Rait, who is responsible for project development, management, and fundraising. Since December, Katharina Weiland-Zejewski, the long-time volunteer director of the Widows’ Project, has joined the team as a full-time staff member.
In addition, numerous active volunteers contribute to the organization’s work in project groups – particularly in the areas of Dental Care Program, sponsorship project and Widows Project. The board and staff team work in close exchange and coordination with the Kenyans. Trustees as well as the Employees from DfA Kenya together.
Change and continuity
There were also personnel changes in the first third of the year: Dr. Florian Lautenbacher (former deputy chairman of the board) and Karoline Degla resigned from their positions in February and April, respectively, for personal reasons. The board appointed Nicholas Koech as Dr. Lautenbacher’s interim successor. In addition, Dr. Christoph Niesel ended his involvement with the dental project. The coordination of the project and the scheduling of deployments is currently being handled on a voluntary basis by DfA founder Dr. Hans-Joachim Schinkel – supported by Dr. Beate Scheuner, Nicholas Koech, Dr. Lutz Kohl, and other dedicated volunteers.
Shaping the future together
With the new structure, Dentists for Africa aims to distribute responsibility across multiple shoulders, strengthen voluntary engagement, and further develop cooperation with Kenyan partners in the long term.
👉 Anyone interested in the projects and in volunteering is cordially invited to get involved in the DfA project groups and actively support the work of the association: Get in touch with us.