Good day

My name is Andre.

I am doing this for the first time to ask other people for help.

I have lived in the Canary Islands for many years and work there as a waiter for more than 230 hours a month, 6 days a week.

I love my job and am satisfied. Even though I live here in eternal spring, a certain situation makes me sad and thoughtful.

I am a 60 year old German (I will be 60 in March :-)) who never returned from a holiday in the Canary Islands 24 years ago.

As a child I always wanted to be a waiter, which my parents didn't like at all.

As a child, you naturally listen to your parents' advice, so I first looked for an apprenticeship and successfully completed it after 3 years. In 1984, there was still compulsory military service and I spent 15 months in the Bundeswehr.

On the same day, after I was informed that I was now a journeyman and had passed my exams, I immediately reported to the District Armed Forces Replacement Office and asked to be called up immediately. Why? It was compulsory to do military service or civilian service, and I had written so many applications and was always told. Sorry, but we're looking for people who are available in the Bundeswehr. When I was honourably discharged from military service in October 1985, I was able to master my professional situation. I then went to work, like everyone else, met a woman, got married and met someone else during my marriage. (I never intended to do that, but after a few months I found out that my wife had cheated on me and lied to me. It was unimaginable to me that such a thing could exist. It sounds unusual in this day and age, but it happened. (My parents were married for almost 60 years and when you experience that from a young age, you don't think about adultery or other bad marital experiences). O.k. I got divorced and lived my life. I continued my education and in the course of time completed 3 journeyman's certificates and 2 state examinations and became a lecturer and teacher, among other things. I didn't have any bad experiences until I was 24 years old. I must honestly admit that I had a great childhood and was always protected by my parents and never had any bad or evil thoughts. I lived my life and unfortunately had to realise that the world is not as rosy and honest as I was taught. That and much more, including my professional career, made me grow up. (I'm still not an adult today at almost 60, but I know what's important). Most recently, I worked for many years in the public fire brigade as an emergency physician and trainer. With my new love I flew for the first time in the 90s. To Gran Canaria. I fell in love with the island so much that I flew there 3-5 times a year. Over the years, of course, I got to know a lot of people in Spain. I also flew to Gran Canaria on 7 March 2001, but as a single person. I was there for 3 days and I was asked if I could help out in a bar for 3 days. Oh God, I thought, I can't do that. I've never carried a tray or tapped a beer before, let alone made a cocktail. But I agreed and had so much fun and enjoyment that the 3 days have now turned into 24 years in March. I'm still in Spain. However, I have changed the island. I was able to live out my childhood dream as a waiter. Until today. :-)

It was and still is a great time here. But I didn't know so much suffering and misery before and started to be there for other people, just like in Germany when I was still working in the rescue service. When I worked in the ambulance service, I saw a lot over the years and also how the relatives or patients were doing, which made me think differently and I was already very socially minded back then.

Volunteering or being there for my fellow human beings was never a problem, on the contrary, it gave me a great feeling to do something good for others that the individual couldn't do.

I just like giving something back to people.

I think what I've written gives you a small impression of me as a person.

I could write a lot more, but that would go beyond the scope of this article.

That's why I'm getting to the point now.

Everything here is different to what I was used to in Germany.

Here you have to work (which I always do) in order to live or survive. It wasn't easy at the beginning because I was or am also a foreigner. Without work, no money from the state, no support, simply nothing. In the meantime, you get something from the state that isn't enough.

I saw how many people were living on the edge here and even sleeping on the streets or on the beach, with no water and nothing to eat. Of course, a lot has improved by 2025. However, there are still people who can't manage on their own or have no help from anyone. So I started to be there for people and did what I can still do today.

For example, I handed out food to the homeless after work, which the restaurant or cafeteria had thrown away after work. It hurts my soul to see people who don't have anything, not even a sandwich or something to drink, which is thrown away here. I still do that today and I will continue to do so as long as God gives me the strength.

Now I had the idea of creating a website (classified adverts, buying and selling) so that people who don't have the internet can also sell things that are deposited with me and then pass them on to interested parties and settle accounts with the sellers. That works really well.

However, I have run out of space and would like to open a small shop where people can go and pick up things, clothes, food, drinks or things for everyday life. Free of charge. Also help with visits to the authorities or help with finding accommodation, deposits, copies, tips.... and so on.

I have achieved everything I wanted in life and I can cover my costs. I don't need much more for myself. My satisfaction and contentment are now more attainable for others than before.

If you support me, I can't give much back.

I can offer you as a supporter free unlimited advertising on my website.

A percentage of the money from the business will go to people who can't make it on their own. Donated items will be given 100% to those in need, no matter what it is.

I will announce the success on my website when it is ready and invite every supporter to read about it or even visit here if possible so that you can see what is happening.

You can also send me donations in kind. These will be placed on the website and sold. The money is invested and benefits people who are in need. Everything is understandable.

Thank you for your patience in reading this far and I look forward to working with you to make a difference.

Thank you very much and best regards

Andre

You can read about the poverty rate here

https://teneriffa-heute.info/kanaren-armutsquote-weiterhin-an-der-spitze-spaniens