OUR
STORY
Tessy was found in March 2017 under a bridge in Douala, Cameroon – abandoned and left to her fate. This dangerous place teems with poisonous ants, biting insects, and snakes. Fortunately, the baby was discovered alive. A man brought her to the Nouvelle Destinée orphanage, where the children living there gave her the name Tessy.
At that time, Hamburg-based linguist and teacher Dr. Marc Ntouda was in Cameroon visiting his family. By chance, he learned of Tessy’s fate. Being a father himself, Marc did not hesitate: he personally financed the baby’s urgent medical treatment and stayed by her side in the hospital for four days.
To ensure Tessy could receive long-term support, Marc reached out to his network through his private Facebook page. The response was overwhelming – friends, acquaintances, and members of his fitness club donated spontaneously. This encouragement strengthened Marc’s resolve to dedicate himself to helping orphaned children.
Back in Hamburg, he shared Tessy’s story and described the conditions at Nouvelle Destinée. His account deeply moved people, and soon a dedicated team formed. The association Hilfe für Tessy (“Help for Tessy”) was founded, with the goal of supporting not only Tessy, but all the orphans at Nouvelle Destinée, giving them a better future – and eventually extending that support to other orphanages as well.
More Than Just Aid
Helping Tessy e.V. stands for far more than material assistance. Under the leadership of Dr. Marc Ntouda, we design tailored educational programs that combine language learning (French, English, and German), essential life skills, and health education – all within a multilingual and culturally diverse environment.
Since March 2017, we have been supporting orphaned children in Cameroon on their journey toward a brighter future. Thanks to generous donations, we have been able to sustainably improve their living and learning conditions:
Education & Empowerment: 20 young people have received a solid foundation for their future through targeted educational and skills development programs.
Individual Language Tutoring: French, English, and German courses – developed and taught by Dr. Marc Ntouda – with teaching methods tailored to each child’s individual needs.
.School Fees & Materials: We cover tuition and provide learning materials to ensure continuous education.
Health & Hygiene: Training sessions, vaccinations, and medical care safeguard the children’s well-being.
Improved Living Conditions: New mattresses, bedding, and mosquito nets create a healthier home environment.
Nutritional Support: Food vouchers ensure a balanced diet over extended periods.
Cleanliness & Safety: Through cleaning and disinfection of the facilities to eliminate bedbugs, rats, and cockroaches.
Christmas Campaigns: Since 2017, every child has received a personal Christmas gift – even during the challenging COVID years from 2020 to 2023.
OUR
VISION
ONE
TRAINING
HELPS
CHILDREN
DETERMINE
THEIR FUTURE
OUR
SUPPORTERS
We quickly found some wonderful partners and supporters, without whom our commitment to the orphans would be unthinkable. They sponsor our activities and support us with donations in kind and money, among other things. We thank them for their help in the past and hope for further support in the future.
OUR
TEAM
The HELPING TESSY team consists of people from completely different backgrounds. However, the love of sport and the passion for the project brings us close together and motivates us to always come up with new ideas and actions.
Here, our founder Marc, the board and the design team introduce themselves.
OUR
FACTS
20
YOUTH
IN TRAINING
80
BEDS IN
ORPHANAGES
798
SOCIAL MEDIA HELPER
9
CHARITY
EVENTS
CONTACT
US
We look forward to hearing from you at any time with questions or feedback.
Helping Tessy e.V.
c/o Dr. Marc Ntouda
Eifflerstrasse 36
22769 Hamburg
Deutschland
+49176 41612808
