We are a group of believing Christians who have come together in different ways, but all of us have one thing in common: we want to be the perpetrators of the Word of God!
In the Bible, for example, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. „ (Matthew 25:40). The prisoners, the children who have been expelled, the disabled people are really the least in Uganda.
As has already been mentioned, the situation in prisons or reception centres in a developing country cannot be compared in any way with that in Europe. There are no so-called social networks here, the conditions of detention or residence are very difficult, especially since many facilities are overcrowded. Often there is simply a lack of everyday necessities. Through financial support and sponsorships, these gaps can be filled together.
The Founder
Erika Ströer is the founder of Fülle die Lücke e.V./Fill The Gap International. When she first entered a Ugandan prison in 2009, she was only shown the representative rooms. But she visited the inmates regularly and through this consistency she was able to look behind the scenes. On 28.02.2012 she founded the association with like-minded people.
Fill the Gap International
The association was registered on 24.04.2012 at the District Court of Hanover under the number VR 201669 and is recognized as a non-profit organization.
onations and sponsorship contributions are therefore tax deductible in Germany!
Its registered office is Hannover, Am Lindenhofe 36, 30519 Hannover/Germany
Board of Directors
Chairwoman - Erika Ströer
My name is Erika-Maria Ströer. I am not married, have lived in Uganda since 2009 and am the mother of three foster children. In Germany I worked as a hotel and restaurant assistant at a young age, later I applied to the police of the state of Lower Saxony and ensured law and order there for more than 20 years.
Chairwoman - Edda Lönneker
Since the foundation of the association in 2012, I have been there and elected as the 2nd chairperson. I support Erika and Silvia from Germany. During lecture trips I accompany Erika. I am married to Hans-Albert, together we have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
Secretary - Hans - Albert Lönneker
I have been working in the editorial department of the bush drum for several years. Since 2019 I have been elected secretary of the association. Until retirement in the same year, I worked full-time as a spokesperson for a county for 19 years. In addition, I have been volunteering in the African Umbrella Association North (ADV) for a long time.
Treasurer - Bärbel Heiner
My name is Bärbel Heiner. I love God, people and life. I am married, we have 3 grown children and 1 grandchild. Since 2012 I feel connected to the association and I am now looking forward to becoming active. As a trained banker, I have a penchant for numbers and therefore I am involved in this field.
On ground in Uganda
In addition, in Uganda we are actively supported by Silvia Kühn as the deputy director.
I have been filling the gap in Uganda since November 2016. Before I decided to go to Uganda, I worked as an office clerk in Germany. I am not married and have no children. I feel very comfortable in Uganda and I like the work, the challenges, especially the people here in the country.
All employees in Germany as well as Erika and Silvia in Uganda work on a voluntary basis, so the administrative burden is very low. Erika and Silvia are on site as a management team for most of the year in Uganda and work there with a small group of local employees.
In Uganda, Fill The Gap Int. is also recognized as an international and non-profit organization (NGO) and duly registered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs /NGO Board under the number S.5914/10857.