Freunde alter Menschen • Berlin • Germany

“Flowers before Bread”

With its motto “flowers before bread” the organization Freunde alter Menschen e. V. (Friends of the Elderly) states its philosophy that flowers, symbolizing friendship, precede bread, standing for life’s physical needs.

We offer lonely, elderly individuals our friendship and help in finding a way out of their isolation and in reconnecting to their former zest for life. Although personal physical needs must be addressed, such as home nursing services, this cannot substitute for companionship and affection.

Our friendships span the generations, connecting younger people with the elderly.
We are active citizens offering our companionship to the elderly.
We work to minimize loneliness and isolation in our society and offer a little joy.
We focus our involvement on elderly people who have lost social contacts and affection over the years.
We offer our time along with an open ear for all the stories and histories cherished by the elderly.
We organize social events and individual activities with the hope of fulfilling the dreams of the elderly.

A society in which people are judged only on their achievements tends to lose the ideals of personal social responsibility, tolerance and affection. The volunteers of Freunde alter Menschen (Friends of the Elderly) respond by reaching out with “flowers before bread”.

Member of the International Federation
of Little Brothers of the Poor

English version: Thomas Abels, Purnama Dewi-Wuelfing and Sara Osmundson