THE FOUNDERS

Felix Matschie knew from a young age he wanted to help others. Growing up with both a German and Ethiopian background, he had an early introduction to the stark contrast between wealth and poverty. His mother’s work in Ethiopia and the time he lived there influenced his desire to help and ultimately sparked the idea of International School Projects for Exchange (ISPFE). He then presented it to the headmaster of the school and, later, to the entire school.

After founding the initiative, Malek Sbeih, another student at Carl-Zeiss-Gymnasium, became interested in the idea. Felix Matschie and he then started to expand the existing proposition, transforming and building what was once just an idea into what is now “Jena in Yayu.” Since the beginning of the project, they have lead the organization and management of the project together. As the project’s founders and leaders, they guide the different subgroups, while simultaneously completely their own tasks. Malek Sbeih’s responsibilities include communication with sponsors, partners, and supporters. Felix Matschie works mainly on the organizing the project by contacting organizations and potential sponsors and even traveling to Ethiopia to meet with leaders there.

As the project progresses, the ideas and thoughts from the entire team are collected to improve it. The leaders and team members work cooperatively to successfully implement “Jena in Yayu.”