Oliver S. Schulz    Gruppenmoderator

After a Haïtian "Zak Paze?" - now a Central African "Baramo" from a globetrotter... Born in Africa (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) I got used to traveling early on, due to the diplomatic engagement of my parents. Thus I have lived in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas for quiet some time, enjoying the intercultural experiences and getting to know new mentalities - and above all: interesting people.
 
I returned to Germany in order to finish my University degree, while working in different branches and finally setting up my own company. This was interesting for some years, brought forth an own book and excellent business-partnerships. Yet, after a few years I realized that the cold German winter really does reappear every year and decided for something new and especially more challenging. The "virus" of working abroad got a grip on me again and so I started working for Medecins sans Frontieres. I spend almost a year in war-stricken Congo (DRC), usually just as close to the reality of daily life as the population, since we were right in the middle of armed conflict. Then I went on a project in the troubled North-East of India, working again for MSF.
 
Having enough of wars, I decided I needed a change. My last adventure took me to Guatemala and Central America, though this time with a German Association, which specializes in the protection of archeological Mayan sites in the Triangulo Cultural (Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo). What a nice change - this time when we excavated a skeleton everybody was happy and curious - this was very different in the Congo!
 
After over half a year coordinating the finances and funding in Guatemala, I decided that it was time to do some work in the current time again... Fortunately there is always a war going on, so I could return easily to Medecins Sans Frontieres.
 
From May 2006 till June 2007 I enjoyed being part of the country coordination team in Port-au-Prince in Haiti, once again for MSF. The reorganisation of a Hospital of over 200 staff and substancial budget was a welcome challenge - the immediate violence and direct and indirect effects on a suffering population once again a sad reality. After over a year living in a capital city, I moved now into the jungle of Central African Republic to Coordinate a General Hospital, again as part of the Country Management Team. In Boguila, a partly displaced population is living in extreme vulnerability to constant armed fighting between different government actors, rebels and organised bandits. This context was so interesting, that I ended up staying for a year, the last three months again as Financial and HR coordinator.
 
After the African sun it then moved me to the cold air of the Canadian winters. Since end 2008 my small but adorable family and me work in Toronto, Canada. This time coordinating the HR of a portfolio consisting of five countries.
 
Well, if you have questions, want to get to know me or have an interesting anecdote, don't hesitate to contact me!