Meet the Team
The team at Proyecto Horizonte currently has a staff of 70 and several volunteers. Every team member is important; each has a significant role to play. Just as they are dedicated to the welfare and development of the areas they work under, we are committed to their health and professional growth. Please allow us to share stories of some of our team:
Christian Ruehmer
Christian Ruehmer initially co-founded the project and now represents it internationally. As President of the NGO, he is involved in the most important decisions. He is also responsible for sourcing international funding and creating future plans for the project.
Nicola Pauli
Nicola Pauli is the local head (CEO) of the NGO Proyecto Horizonte. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, represents Proyecto Horizonte in Bolivia and heads the Directorio (Management Board). In addition Nicola is responsible for the area of communications which ensures proper Public Relations to our community, to the team, as well as to our international friends and donors.
Mabel Romero
Is the director of the kindergarten and is thus directly responsible for over 160 children and 16 employees. She liaises with the education ministry, assures the highest quality work of the staff and education of the children. She also liaises between parents ensuring they are fully informed about their child’s education.
Dr. Alvaro Mendoza Claros
Has headed the Health Centre since January 2005. He is responsible for the entire team of health professionals. He also coordinates collaborations with various government-run institutions that work towards contributing to the improvement of health in Ushpa-Ushpa. Since 2008, he extended the reach of the Centre to offer weekly medical visits to a neighbouring community.
Maritza Inochea Claros
Maritza Inochea Claros has been the headteacher of the education unit in San Vicente de Paul / Proyecto Horizonte since 2011. As such she garanties the functioning and well-being of 622 students in addition to teachers and families as well as coordinating the contact with the municipal education department.
Eliza Wall
Eliza Wall is the head of the Community Development, Proyecto Horizonte's third area of focus next to education and health care. She is responsible for 10 employees. She also coordinates all volunteer activities of Proyecto Horizonte. placing the volunteers in the particular task of the project that fits their wishes and abilities.
Osvaldo Castro
Is the second co-founder and until his retirement was responsible for all local administration. He represented the project publicly when entering negotiations with public institutions and ensured that every cent is spent effectively and in line with the vision of the project. While he retired from work in 2011, he is still supporting us as an advisor
Johan Börjesson
Johan Börjesson has dedicated himself to developing the business sector of the community and of the women´s group Tantakuna and its handicrafts in particular. He is also in charge of grantwriting to Proyecto Horizonte.
Olga Speckhardt
Olga Speckhardt is our head of Marketing and Fundraising for Switzerland. Olga joined our team recently and is very enthusiastic about supporting our work. Based on her thorough professional experience she is promoting our work specifically in Switzerland.
Anne Dueffels
Anne Düffels is the coordinator of the sponsorship program. She has been a volunteer since 2011 and spent 6 months in Ushpa Ushpa. Since her return to Germany, she coordinates our child sponsorship program and ensures that each sponsor is informed about their child. Anne also organizes the sale of handicrafts of the women's group Tantakuna in Europe.
Claudia Laur
Leads the “Verein zur Förderung des Kindergartens in Ushpa-Ushpa e.V” our German fundraising organization. She coordinates collections of donations as well as the smooth operations and assists with the carrying out of many fundraising campaigns.
Keeping it all running smoothly
Nicola is always hard at work in the background making sure the team is performing.