Dirk Harder can let people see again

"People have to see remade, addictive," says the doctor with a passion.

He wants to make a difference, not only medical but also on volunteers. 14 years of working ophthalmologist Dr. Dirk Harder in tropical developing countries. Harder for six weeks was now in Malawi. But when the 49-year-old climbed into the plane, he knew roughly what to expect. Harder to represent a colleague in the East African country where he was before. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and twelve percent of the population are infected with HIV. But other, easily treatable diseases in Germany, the country will face enormous problems. There is a lack of specialist doctors anyway. Particularly devastating effect of a cataract, an eye disease that leads to blindness without surgery necessary, as Harder explains. In Malawi, he was allowed to help operate, people can see it again. "The feeling of gratitude to these people who can see at once again is indescribable," says Harder.

Help those in need, instead of filling out forms

After studying medicine in Greifswald, the eye doctor is disillusioned. The bureaucratic, hierarchical health care system in Germany does all the ideals that have carried him through the study destroyed. "I had to get out of here, wanted to make a difference, do not fill out forms." He says the time for Albert Schweitzer's work. The Christian Blind Mission Germany (CBM) makes his way to Africa. Harder goes to Cameroon in 1997, may finally help. In 2000 he moved to Zimbabwe to live is where the eye doctor for nine years. It is followed by three more years in the South Pacific country Fiji, where he trains young doctors. Last year he comes back because the family back to Germany, enters a job at an eye clinic in Rostock Lütten small.