Exhibition
"Honorable" - People in voluntary work
Traveling exhibitions at stations
About the exhibition
Around 30 million people in Germany are involved in voluntary work and are committed to the common good - in a variety of ways. Voluntary work is a pillar of our society. The work of non-profit and charitable institutions would hardly be possible without the commitment of volunteers.
In the exhibition “Ehrenwert ("Honorable"), the Deutsche Bahn Foundation presents some of these volunteers. A total of 16 portraits show people from all parts of the country who are committed to the common good in very different areas. Many DB employees are also among them - because at DB, voluntary work is promoted with the Deutsche Bahn Foundation's "Ehrensache" (“Matter of honor”) program.
Exhibition dates
Feedback or questions about the exhibition. Please write an e-mail.
Claudia Gutsch (ehem. Rösler)
Projektverantwortliche
Wanderausstellungen
Deutsche Bahn Stiftung gGmbH
Europaplatz 1, 10557 Berlin
Berlin was Central station
29.08.24 till 08.09.24
Leipzig Central station
27.09.24 till 06.10.24
Köln Central station
09.10.24 till 18.10.24
Nürnberg Central station
22.10.24 till 31.10.24
To the portraits
In large-format photographs, volunteers are shown in situations that are typical for their voluntary work, whether they are supporting disadvantaged young people or archiving historical holdings in the DB Museum. In interviews, they tell us in their own words what motivates them to volunteer and what they achieve with it.
In the overall view, the individual portraits in pictures and words come together to form a cross-section of volunteer work in Germany, in recognition and appreciation of the many people who enrich our coexistence and strengthen social cohesion with their volunteer work. With this very personal approach, the exhibition not only shows the diversity and importance of volunteer work, but also aims to motivate people to do volunteer work themselves.
Photographer
Mauricio Bustamante lives in Hamburg and works worldwide as a photojournalist and portrait photographer. "What fascinates me most about portrait photography is the experience of meeting a person - it's always about empathy." On behalf of the Deutsche Bahn Foundation, he has already photographed people for the 2020 exhibition "Decoupled".
Until 1993, Bustamante worked as a photojournalist in Argentina. Later, he traveled to Spain on behalf of Argentinian media. Today, he works as a freelance photographer, among others, for the magazines “Der Spiegel”, “Die Zeit”, “11 Freunde” and the Hamburg street magazine “Hinz&Kunzt”.
Author
Thomas Byczkowski lives in Hamburg and has been working in journalism for 25 years. His specialty is portraits, which he often both photographs and writes himself, for example in long-term projects such as accompanying refugees in Hamburg and researching the victims of a mining disaster in Brazil.
His work has been published by the Bertelsmann Foundation, the Episcopal Relief Organization Misereor, the magazines “DB Mobil”, “Stern”, “brand eins”, “Mare” and “Zeit Wissen”; in the Swiss newspaper “NZZ am Sonntag”, the Swiss business magazine “Bilanz” and the Swiss “Automobilrevue”.
"Here the children learn respect and understanding."
Umida
Caregiver in the dance ensemble "Regenbogen" (“Rainbow”) of the “Baum” (“Tree”) association
In the beginning I just took my daughter to the dance group. Ballet, hip-hop, folk dances - here she learns everything. When the crew needed help with a performance, I stepped in to do her make-up and hair. Between costumes, suitcases and excited children, I had to do everyone's make-up - this creative chaos fascinated me. As an accountant, I work precisely; here I can express myself artistically. When, after all the chaos, everyone has their make-up properly, I think it's wonderful. I also accompany the ensemble on trips, where the parents entrust their children to me - that's an honor. Many of them are barely six years old. They come from Turkey, Russia, Moldova - we are a melting pot of cultures. Here the children not only learn to dance. They also learn to respect one another and to treat each other with understanding. And to be careful: we sew and restore the costumes ourselves. When the children put them on, you can see how carefully they treat them. And I can say: I helped.
“There are no differences here based on descent or gender.”
Hélio
Trainer at the association “Boxen macht Schule”
I have been a trainer at the association “Boxen macht Schule” (Boxing in school) for three and a half years. Boxing is integrated into the lessons as a workshop. The children learn values such as respect and discipline, but also violence prevention and integration, actively and through conversation. There are no differences here based on descent or gender – we are a team, everyone trains together. I also have to be able to trust everyone: “Stop” means “stop” and head strikes are taboo during sparring. Today I look after three schools: in Koblenz, Montabaur and Nentershausen. I can do this because I used to do Taekwondo. At work I am a vehicle technician at the DB and have a child. Because I also learn how the children talk to each other in the training sessions, I also understand my daughter better. Being a trainer is not always easy - in Koblenz I often considered giving up because I had a difficult group. We have since pulled ourselves together: now these kids greet me from afar. I managed to get through to them - I feel pretty cool about that.
"I have grown with him."
Alexander
Mentor of a primary school student at the "Balu and You" association
In addition to my job as an engineer, I want to make a difference in society. My boss recommended to apply as a volunteer at the "Balu and You" association. As mentors, we support school children in their development who need help. I became a mentor to a 10-year-old boy with Ghanaian roots. At first I needed courage to get involved - suddenly there was a child in my life. But all mentors were helped with training and supervision in dealing with the children. For one year we played and went on trips. We really found each other through football. We even went to match of the Hamburg football club HSV: this made his eyes light up. He also showed me his hood and the youth center that he often went to. When he ran away once, I looked for him there, but the people there hadn't seen him since we were there together. I have grown with him and we are still friends today.
"I feel obliged to do this."
Wolfgang-Dieter Richter, 72 years old, Nuremberg
Archivist at the Deutsche Bahn Museum
Even as a child, the music of shunting steam locomotives was my lullaby; we lived next to a railway line at the time. That's why I became a mechanical engineer. I and my team have developed many things, from trams to ICE trains. I have always been interested in historic railways, so after I retired I came to the DB Museum as an archivist. I work on the archive of MAN, the Augsburg-Nuremberg machine factory. It is an important legacy for the railway, and I want to make it available to anyone interested. I do this on a voluntary basis because I enjoy it. In addition, few museum people grew up with the railway; I still know a lot that would otherwise be lost. The most important research result is an Excel table with twenty thousand lines. All deliveries to the railway are recorded there and the corresponding images assigned. I have published several books and articles in my career – a third of them from the archive, it’s in my blood.
“I lend out my language skills.”
Wladimir
Interpreter for the “Triaphon” telephone service for medical emergencies
Even when I was a student, I liked helping: I was a tutor for three professors, and led courses at the “Alpenverein” (“Alpine Association”). When the war began in my home country, I founded an aid organization for Ukrainians. But I'm an architect and responsible for maintaining Hamburg's main train station – that's demanding. So I looked for something less demanding. Now I'm with “Triaphon”, a telephone translation service for medical emergencies. I translate everything – from obstetrics to psychological consultations. Basically, I lend out my language skills. I was on call for 300 hours last month. But the actual speaking time was only two hours for ten calls. Translating “now push” for a birth in the supermarket is strange. I always have my cell phone with me, even when I'm doing sports. If I had children, I probably wouldn't be able to do it so often. People around me know about the volunteer work, because sometimes I have to keep friends waiting. My story gives me the strength to make the phone calls: When I came from Kiev in 1991, I couldn't speak any German. This was particularly bad in times of need. Sometimes I would have needed the service myself.
"Often all it takes is a new idea."
Dagmar Störk
Day-care mentor at the "Achtung!Kinderseele" foundation
Since I am a child psychiatrist, people often ask me if I could give them advice about their children - outside of my practice. For this, I looked for a larger framework and found it in the "Achtung!Kinderseele" foundation. I have been involved with the foundation since 2016, since I graduated as a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy. The foundation is always looking for doctors who take care of prevention and early detection in day-care facilities. I myself became a mentor when my daughter started kindergarten. Now I help when there are problems there, for example when a child is sleeping badly or is not potty trained. Often all it takes is a new idea or a different perspective. I now look after three kindergartens. I see it like this: With four children, I have the life experience and the right qualifications - I am happy to pass some of that on. Furthermore, I come from a large family where voluntary work is normal.
“I feel the social injustice – it makes me angry.”
Priyanka
Volunteer at the Bahnhofsmission (“Station Mission”, a social service at railway stations), Hamburg
I work as an autism therapist for the German Red Cross. Even when I was a student, I wondered what people with those blue vests were doing in the train station. When I applied to volunteer at the Bahnhofsmission, my parents didn't understand: "You don't have time, and you don't get any money for it." I do it because I have a lot of energy. I may be shy, but I've learned that people can surpass themselves. I've always helped: face painting, reading books, or accompanying children with a migrant background. But no other volunteer work offers such great variety in such a short time. Homeless people are a big thing at the Bahnhofsmission. I feel this social injustice - it makes me angry. That's why I'm involved here. You catch yourself feeling helpless and want to look away. But here I can do something: we provide help, give advice, and if necessary, hand out clothes and food. Anyone can get involved here.
"I've stood where the Queen was."
Anna-Lena
Caregiver of a historic saloon car at the DB Museum
I'm a total fan of Starlight Express, I've seen the musical on roller skates about the fastest locomotive eight times. And in 2018, at the summer festival in the DB Museum in Koblenz, I saw the "Queen" for the first time - and fell in love. The "Queen" is a saloon car from 1937. At the festival, people were allowed in to visit it. This luxury totally amazed me. I thought it was great that you could also become a member of the DB Museum Association. Since then, I've been looking after the car. That means that we clean and polish it with my father and a few others. It's exhausting. But I'm holding out because I want to give tours of the "Queen" to show how beautiful it used to be. The railway and this saloon carriage are my hobbies. I think it's great that these hobbies are possible through voluntary work. There's a photo of Queen Elizabeth II looking out of one of the carriage's windows. I've also stood there and looked out - a strange feeling.
“This is a form of democracy promotion”
Gerd
Lab lead at “Jugend hackt”
The extracurricular educational program “Jugend hackt” has been running in the “Hacklabor” in Schwerin since 2022. We are one of the 20 places in Germany that teach digital skills in this way: anyone who wants to can take part and learn, for example, how to navigate safely on the Internet or how to deal with cyberbullying. Once a month, young people can implement their ideas with volunteer mentors or take part in workshops. For example, we construct, solder and program a rainbow ring together - 24 LEDs arranged in a circle - so that it displays various colorful animations. When the young people see that they can do all of this themselves, they are enthusiastic. I am a software developer and am involved in “Jugend hackt” because as a young person I wanted a place to exchange ideas with like-minded people. Those who come here develop media skills and an understanding of technology in order to be able to make the right decisions in an increasingly digital society. That is why, for me, this work is a form of democracy promotion.
"This is living history; if I tell it, it won’t be lost”
Steffen
Caregiver of historic locomotives
My grandfather was an engine driver. Thus, I joined the pioneer railway in the GDR when I was ten. After that, I only wanted one thing: to work for the big railway - today as a train driver, inspector and trainer. I have been volunteering at the railway museum summer festival in Koblenz since 2011. I was supposed to demonstrate an electric locomotive. I really got into the subject. Today I live in Leipzig and look after the three museum locomotives on track 24, together with eleven other volunteers. We look after the vehicles and present them at events. Of course, you get dirty fingers here and it costs time and money. But that's the appeal of it; I have no other hobby. And my parents think it's great that I've made it from model railways to the pioneers and now to here, turning my childhood dream into a career. When I demonstrate the locomotives, the audience is fascinated. This is living history - before and after the (German) division. And if I tell it, it won't be lost. My dream: to drive a locomotive for the (German) railway's 200th anniversary.
"I consider helping to be my duty."
Katrin
Employee at the “Bahnhofsmission” (“Station Mission”, a social service at railway stations)
I came to the Railway Mission through an internship during my training as a media manager and I still come here regularly today. We help with orientation in the station, with changing trains, put people in touch with people who have lost their homes or have alcohol problems, or even buy people in need a coffee. Sometimes we are counselors for those who are lonely. When I started in 2009, many people from Eastern Europe were stranded here - two years earlier Bulgaria and Romania had joined the EU. We helped them in an unbureaucratic way: with tickets or simply with shoes. I hear a lot of prejudices, for example against the homeless. But I don't want to look away: I feel that helping is my duty to bring society together; that's how I grew up. Social injustice was always discussed in our household and I read Günther Wallraff's (German author who uncovers social grievances) books as a teenager. Volunteering is an outlet for my attitude; it has made my life complete.
“Some children outgrow themselves.”
Arno
Teacher at the holiday care of the “climb”-association
I was looking for a job as a tutor when the people from climb approached me. I have now been to the summer schools eight times. For 14 days, primary school children study math and German in a playful way with volunteer teachers and discover their strengths in projects: for example, team spirit, planning and implementation skills. In my first project, we made a city out of shoe boxes - in the end, the whole room had become a cardboard city. Then we discussed what makes a city, what the important buildings and professions are. Each time we also visit a climbing garden for courage, endurance and dexterity. Some children outgrow themselves here. Every day we think together about how they behaved: Was I considerate, self-confident, helpful? I think it’s great that I can use my empathy here! Climb helped me choose my career - I now know that I want to be a social worker in a primary school.
"I really wanted to give something back."
Amy
Member of the youth advisory board of the German Depression Aid and Suicide Prevention Foundation
When I was 16 I got a depression. Before that, I had played basketball successfully. But that took up more and more time. At some point I had to stop. That meant that I lost the balance to the schoolstress and my social environment. I was getting worse and worse. Then I found first aid online at the German Depression Aid Foundation. I was so grateful when I had overcome my depression that I wanted to give something back. Thus I applied to the foundation. In the youth advisory board, we do educational work on depression in adolescence and want to help destigmatize and raise awareness: via TikTok, Instagram, but also with an exhibition. Our videos reach a large audience. Since graduating from high school, I have been doing a voluntary social year in my basketball club and am a volunteer trainer there. I will continue to do that after I finish my studies, because the work simply gives me a lot of joy and gives me support.
“Here you know exactly what you studied medicine for.”
Peter
Dermatologist at the outpatient clinic of the Berliner Stadtmission (aid agency of the protestant church)
The outpatient clinic is mainly attended by homeless people with illnesses that you rarely see. Medically, it is challenging; I have to bring in all my experience from decades as a dermatologist. The most important thing is the correct diagnosis in order to initiate the appropriate treatment. Recently a man came in with a fist-sized malignant melanoma. In the past, he would have died from it. I initiated the treatment, and the Charité is taking over the further treatment - and successfully! I take a lot of time for treatment, especially with skin infections, eczema and wounds. People like it when you look after them. They really come back if the therapy helps - that is important for the success of the treatment. Most of them are constantly outside, usually in dirty surroundings, so the skin quickly becomes overwhelmed. While in practice you quickly forget your actual task because of all the organization, here you know exactly why you studied medicine.
“The real gift is empathy"
Dagmar
Reading mentor supervisor and chairwoman of the association "DIE FRANKFURTER LESEPATEN" (=THE FRANKFURT READING MENTORS)
Even when I was a board member at Deutsche Bahn, I wanted to do voluntary work later on. So I joined the Frankfurt Reading Mentors in 2012; first as a spokesperson, now as chairwoman. I have management experience and can organize. That fits perfectly. My contacts are also useful. We help children learn to read. Our reading mentors - mostly pensioners – work in 68 primary schools. Here in Frankfurt there is a huge need, especially among children with a migration background. We correct pronunciation, ask whether the word and meaning have been understood. The teachers decide who needs a mentor and usually also what is to be read. We look after one child each for 20 minutes during school hours. This creates a close bond: many children run towards their mentors in the hallway. Because the real gift is empathy. My tasks are to guide, lead, develop. I look after sponsors, schools, technology and organize. I am constantly involved in this.
“Learn to appreciate how much work goes into a harvest.”
Chioma
AckerCoach at the Acker e.V. association (Acker = agrarian field)
Many children don't know where the vegetables they have on their plates come from. At Acker e.V. we show them. We ask schools and daycare centers whether they want to create fields for their children. As an AckerCoach, I explain the theory, show how to plant and bring seeds and young plants. Then the children get to work themselves: they dig, water, harvest. AckerBuddys trained by me on site help and I am there with help and advice. The harvest is then usually sold at school or included in lunch. In addition to a nine-to-five job, this voluntary work would be too laorious. But I'm studying environmental sciences and can organize my time. Acker e. V. offers a playful approach so that children learn to appreciate how much work goes into a harvest. The children think it's cool to have a young woman with a migrant background as a field coach and I quickly get on well with them. Many of them even do internships with gardeners or get involved in climate groups. That motivates me.