4 questions for... Roman Weber, Member of the Board of TARGET e. V.

In this series, we introduce you to people who are working with TARGET e. V. to end female genital mutilation and to protect indigenous peoples and the rainforest. On social media and on our website, we answer the four questions you have asked us most frequently. Roman Weber is a board member of TARGET e. V. and heads the association. He was 17 when he first visited the Amazon rainforest with Rüdiger and Annette Nehberg for TARGET's health projects with the indigenous Waiãpi people. Since then, he has been passionate about the association's work.

1) What was your career aspiration before you started working at TARGET?

That was so long ago that I can't really remember. I'm following my passion with my work at TARGET. I can recommend that to everyone: If you follow your passion, you will always find the courage and strength to keep going, especially if you suffer defeats in between.

2) What are your tasks at TARGET?

My responsibilities on the Management Board are very varied. It starts with the planning of projects and ends with the overview and responsibility for all of the association's finances and decisions. In between, there are trips to the projects and people on site, photo and video productions, as well as the acquisition of donations and even recruitment interviews and office renovations. In a small association like TARGET, everyone sometimes steps in outside their area of expertise. Everyone helps everyone here.

3) What challenges is TARGET currently facing?

We are currently noticing that many people are stopping or massively reducing their donations. The current political situation and the situation in Europe present us with challenging tasks that need to be overcome. After all, the projects still have to go ahead. In addition, there is currently a massive shortage of skilled workers on the labor market, and many of our job advertisements receive little to no feedback. In the projects themselves, for example, there is currently no political stability in Ethiopia. This is making our work extremely difficult for the people on the ground.

In this context, I would also like to answer the question of whether the maternity clinic in Ethiopia still exists: Yes it still exists, however the war in Ethiopia has left its mark and has not passed us by either. We reported that we initially had to evacuate the clinic for the safety of the staff. Our team from Germany was recently on site to take stock and see how the project can continue.

4) What success are you particularly proud of?

I can't really say. There have already been too many brilliant successes with TARGET for that. This is mainly due to the fact that we can react quickly and flexibly to situations thanks to the size of the club and the great team. What I am always proud of, however, is when I meet the local people in our projects and see the positive impact our work has on their lives. A mother who was able to experience a safe birth through us is something that really touches my heart and fills me with pride.

5) Extra: Do you have a favorite memory with Rüdiger Nehberg?

There is no one particular favorite memory. There are thousands. Rüdiger really enriched my life as a person. I miss him very much. Without him, Hamburg would never have opened up to me as a gateway to our projects in the world. I am very grateful for that. What fascinated me about Rüdiger is that he was always interested in people, in what they say and do. He genuinely listened to them and was enthusiastic about their stories. He never pretended to be happy. With Rüdiger, you always knew directly where you stood. An honest person.

Further information

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Further episodes of the series "4 questions for...":

4 questions for Sophie Weber, board member of TARGET e. V.

4 questions for Hosti José, civil engineer in Brazil's Amazon rainforest