AGAPE e.V. is a registered non-profit organisation.

We primarily run projects in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, as well as in Romania and Germany. We promote self-help initiatives for disadvantaged people, particularly children.

The association is registered with the Mannheim Local Court under registration number VR331914 in accordance with its articles of association. Tax-exempt status has been granted by the Heidelberg Tax Office. All donations are tax-deductible. At the start of each new year, we will automatically send you a donation receipt for use when filing your tax return.

Association history

In the more than 30 years that Christine Weitmann has led AGAPE e.V., she has been able to give many people in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Tibet a new chance. She has also documented her travels in photographs, a selection of which can be seen below. Her commitment for the children of the poorest of the poor was honoured with the Federal Cross of Merit. Her activities can also be found in a large number of newspaper articles and newsletters, as well as in her book "Tropfen höhlen Steine".

Christine Weitmann stepped back from project work in 2018 and has since been available to offer advice in her role as honorary chair. The vice-chair, Hans-Peter Hebel, has remained in his post. Dr Martin Maier was elected as chair. The new management team has made intensive use of the last few years to engage in dialogue with local project partners. Global changes have recently led to an overall economic improvement, though this does not always reach rural areas. Much has happened in the field of education, to the extent that schools are now almost ubiquitous. We therefore only run our own educational facilities where none exist, and have stepped up our efforts to support children in these state schools (e.g. by providing clean water) and to create prospects for young adults through vocational training and equal opportunities. Thanks to our strong links with research institutions (particularly universities), we have also supported research projects in recent years focusing on drinking water and the arsenic problem in Bangladesh, with the aim of offering innovative water treatment solutions in the project countries and ensuring they are suitable for practical use. Our current projects are listed on the project pages.

	Meanwhile, in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Tibet, the state itself is increasingly taking responsibility for the care of orphans and children living in slums, which is why AGAPE is now able to focus more on new challenges: the human right to clean drinking water.   In May 2018, Dr Martin Maier, a qualified hydrogeologist, was elected as Christine Weitmann’s successor following her nomination. His links with the University of Heidelberg make it possible to develop new filtration methods tailored to the needs and conditions in Bangladesh.     Picture on the left: The Chairman, Dr Martin Maier, tests the first deep well at the AGAPE school in Goljani, which still supplies arsenic-free water.
The Vice-Chair is Hans-Peter Hebel. It is important to both of us to continue the projects we have undertaken so far and to maintain our focus on education. Although there are now free primary schools in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Tibet, children from the poorest families do not attend school because they are needed as labourers in the fields. AGAPE wants to give these children the opportunity to attend school too.     Picture on the right: Vice-Chairman Dipl. Ing. Hans-Peter Hebel and Treasurer Dr. Charlotte Stirn at the market square. In the background is a SIDKO filter provided by AGAPE e.V., which supplies the village’s central square with arsenic-free water.