In recognition of Fokko Doyen’s achievements we are publishing two statements we received from long-standing companions. The first contribution comes from physician Michael Otto, who
regularly provides medical services for Cargo Human Care’s foster children in Nairobi, Kenya.
This is followed by an acknowledgement from
MD Stephan Haltmayer of logistics company Quick Cargo Service, that has been supporting the humanitarian organization since years.
Michael Otto proposed awarding Fokko Doyen the Cross of Merit
In 2009, I had my first assignment as a medic for the humanitarian organization Cargo Human Care, initiated and driven forward by Fokko and an ever-growing team of sponsors and supporters.
I was immensely impressed by the entire project, sheltering orphans, and enabling kids and youngsters to receive education because without a decent education, the Kenyan youth have little chance
of making a living once they become adults.
However, I was even more impressed by the initiator and chairman of CHC, Fokko Doyen, whom I met personally a short while after. A charismatic, highly likeable, uncomplicated, and infectiously
committed man.
The Lufthansa uniform with the 4 stripes suited the tall North German, born and grown up in East Frisia near the North Sea, extremely well and certainly additionally motivated many a donor.
It quickly became clear to me that Fokko's extraordinary and enduring commitment required special recognition: he should be awarded the Federal Cross of Merit.
In mid-2010, I submitted the application to the responsible German authorities and already at the beginning of 2011, the award ceremony took place in Wiesbaden, where Fokko and his wife Franka
live. I vividly remember this very special event which culminated in the presentation of the order. An extraordinary honor that incredibly pleased him.
Over the years, Fokko and I met regularly, mostly in the context of CHC, but also privately. It was always an affectionate and great experience.
In the meantime, I can count him among my friends, which makes me extremely proud. He has the great gift of captivating everyone and time and again motivating a sponsor to increase his or her
commitment to providing medical assistance or financial support to the foster children in the care of CHC, accommodated in the organization’s facilities in Nairobi, and various projects in remote
places in Kenya. It is this soft, charming, and diplomatic approach, his most powerful “weapon”, that’s hard to resist.
Occasionally, I personally accompanied some of the committed donors while visiting Mothers’ Mercy Home, the John Kaheni Residence, or other facilities managed and cared for by CHC in
Nairobi.
Often, Captain Fokko was able to arrange his flight duties in such a way as to allow him to navigate one of his beloved MD-11 freighters to Nairobi to welcome the sponsors and show them around.
On those occasions, he always tried to convince them to stay on board and even increase their CHC commitment if possible.
When meeting Fokko privately, we often had fun together and a lot to laugh about, because humor is also one of the characteristics of the East Frisian, who is not at all stubborn, unless it is
about CHC.
Saying farewell, ending his career as a Lufthansa Cargo Captain and long-time Fleet Commander of the MD-11F, will certainly not be easy for him, because he has pursued his profession with the
same passion and commitment as he does with CHC.
Hopefully, he will remain a "Captain" for us CHC supporters for a long period to come. Now he has even more opportunities to devote himself to his "CHC baby" without time restrictions.
Dear Fokko, thank you for the 10 great years that we have known each other and joined forces in supporting the humanitarian project you set up in Kenya. Thank you for your friendship and
dedication.
I am looking forward to the next 10 years, which we two retirees will dedicate to CHC without having any time pressure.
Up we go; the sky is the limit. There is no need to say any more.
Michael Otto
Cloning Fokko would be the best solution, suggests Stephan Haltmayer
At Quick Cargo Service, we have supported the Cargo Human Care project literally from day one. We do this because, as a company, we have a social obligation not only to our employees, but also to
others, since many people are in need of help.
We came across the organization through Christopher Biaesch, our key account at Lufthansa Cargo at the time. "He told us so enthusiastically about the initiative, that we decided to promote
it," recalls QCS founder Dieter Haltmayer about how it all began. Dieter goes on to say, "Anyone who gets involved in CHC automatically gets to know the initiator, Fokko Doyen, which
applies to us as well. His many years of commitment to CHC are morally, ethically, and regarding his voluntary labor stint, outstanding in my view." What he has put together with the support
of Lufthansa Cargo, the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the team of doctors, and the many sponsors is absolutely remarkable. Today, the association runs an orphanage in Nairobi’s wider
region, where 120 orphans live. Included in the building, is a small clinic where roughly 50 volunteer German medics regularly offer people living in the quarter medical treatment and care
regarding health issues. In addition, there is a youth center for school leavers, where they are prepared for professional and adult life. This facility can also be used by young people living in
the vicinity.
"We value CHC as a flagship project that offers orphans not only accommodation and nourishment, but also education, enabling them to make a living when they reach adulthood.” In a
country where roughly half the population lives below the official poverty line, this commitment deserves great respect. In addition to personal sponsorships and financial support, there is
another way to effectively support the project: by participating in the annual Office City Run through Frankfurt. “We did this again in 2020, where 15 of our staff participated in the
challenge, representing 4 offices: Berlin, Gronau, Frankfurt, and Hamburg (Ocean Freight).”
The run is organized by the Cargo Bulls, a sports group formed within Lufthansa Cargo.
Last summer, the event took place for the 5th time, but due to COVID-19, only virtually. In practical terms, this meant that each participant paid an admission fee and could run comfortably on
his or her home turf. The amounts paid in went 100% towards funding the "Family Aid 2020" project CHC had kicked off during the pandemic, to provide humanitarian aid to those most requiring it.
This is because many of the orphans had to be cared for by extended family members or friends, when CHC was forced to severely scale down its local aid programs and activities due to the
pandemic. Social laws comparable to those in Switzerland, Germany, or Scandinavia, do not exist in Kenya. This makes it is all the more important that private help is provided.
As for Fokko, we wish him all the best for his future journey and applaud his outstanding social and humanitarian commitment. It is good to hear that he will continue his CHC commitment even
stronger as before, once he retires from flying. It is regrettable that people cannot be cloned. Without doubt, he would certainly be the perfect candidate for creating a doubleganger equipped
with a similarly huge social heart.
Stephan Haltmayer, Managing Director, Quick Cargo Service GmbH
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