After 10 months of construction, Friedensberg Hospice in Lauchhammer, a federal state of Brandenburg, Germany, opened on July 1, 2009. Around 200 guests witnessed the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The hospice is operated by the Advent-Wohlfahrtswerk (AWW - a charity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church) and cares for people with terminal illnesses.
A team of professional staff provides medical, social and pastoral care to patients and supports family members during this difficult time. The hospice has 10 single rooms for in-patients and 2 rooms for family members. The project cost approximately 1.425 million Euros. About 20 per cent was funded from its own resources (donations from local churches, Seventh-day Adventist institutions and the AWW charity), but a considerable amount came from private donors. Some neighboring construction companies also donated their labor to help complete the project.
The opening ceremony was held in nearby Friedenskirche with representatives present from the local government, businesses and social associations. In his key address, Lothar Scheel, chair of the AWW, praised the tremendous dedication of the hospice volunteers who helped to find potential sponsors by organizing fund-raising events. Karl-Heinz Walter, representative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, pointed out that it is the church’s mission to be present where people are hurting. “The example of the Good Samaritan calls on the believer to practice compassion. Since Christians believe that man is endowed with inalienable dignity, they can approach others with unconditional love,” stated Walter.
Following the opening ceremony, Georg Remmert and Sylvia Drendel, the business managers of Friedensberg Hospice, cut the ribbon across the entrance hall. “We are happy to receive the first patients,” said Remmert.
