On 3rd December, the OC 61 CSups Sqn, 6 Regt RLC, Major Paul Bowyer, visited Frau Inge Rehbein at the Gütersloh Soup Kitchen to present her with a cheque for €371, which represent one quarter of the proceeds of this year’s Bonfire Night, organised by Captain Douglas Ingram. Frau Rehbein emphasised that she valued the solid relationship between her charitable institution and the British Garrison, which has been continually strengthened since 2005. “It is not only the amount of money that we receive, but the personal contact and interest in our work that we value. Over the years, we have made friends with people in the Garrison, who regularly offer our young charges the opportunity of visiting the barracks to experience the spectacle of Bonfire Night. Even bus transport is arranged for our group. We are inconsolable that we were not able to organise enough supervision for the children on the bus this year, so the kind offer could not be accepted.”

Frau Rehbein happily accepted the cheque from Major Bowyer and declared that the money would be used for repairs to toys and play equipment, which quickly become dilapidated by intensive use. As the Suppenküche is entirely reliant on donations, it is the kindness of individuals which enables her and the co-founder, Dr. Petra Roggenkamp, to improve and expand services provided for the disadvantaged in Gütersloh. Primarily, the soup kitchen was established to offer adults a warm meal on Thursday evenings. The dining room still opens at five and caters for 150 people in three sittings until the kitchen closes at eight o’clock. Many of the clients have no income other than minimum social benefits. There are others, who do not even qualify for benefits, as they are homeless.

This service has now been augmented by the introduction of Friday meals for 50 or 60 young children, who receive nourishing and balanced meals before they are led either to an indoor or an outdoor play area, depending on the weather. It is necessary to supervise their play activities and to instil into them the basic principles of co-operation and socially acceptable behaviour. There are two rules that the children must adhere to: to be friendly to each other and to refrain from aggression. The fifteen volunteer helpers initially needed counselling to help them understand and deal with the prevalent aggression of the adults and even the very young clients.

Frau Rehbein was keen to explain the continually expanding help programme offered by her institution and showed Major Bowyer the curtained cubicle in the corner of the administration office, where a volunteer doctor conducts fortnightly medical examinations. Another room is reserved for monthly dental checks by a visiting dentist. There is a shower cubical, mostly used by homeless clients, who have limited access to hygiene facilities. Additionally, young mothers are schooled in baby and child care, receive guidance in housekeeping and cooking and are provided with hygiene products free of charge. It is important that the parents receive guidance in looking after their children and in pursuing the best opportunities for them; otherwise their situation of existing on the periphery of society will be passed on to the subsequent generation.

Frau Rehbein voiced the wish to have British soldiers visit the soup kitchen and perhaps become personally involved with the children, Major Bowyer indicated that he would explore possibilities.