Poverty has no lobby -
but great perseverance.

The Thoma Foundation was established in 2001 by Harald Thoma. It is a continuation of the initiative launched by Harald and Ingrid Thoma, which began in 1989 as what was originally intended to be a one-time aid mission to Sighișoara.

After Harald Thoma’s death in 2003, his wife, Ingrid Thoma, continued the foundation’s work and aid trips in her husband’s spirit, with the support of their children, Annekatrin Lamothe and Ralf Thoma, until her death in 2026. Since then, the foundation has been carried on by the next generation in the name of Harald and Ingrid Thoma.

In addition to financial aid and the distribution of in-kind donations, one of the hallmarks of this foundation is its human and personal approach, as well as the individualized support it provides to those it serves.

Administrative costs are covered in full by the Thoma family - thus ensuring that every euro donated or every in-kind donation reaches those in need in Sighișoara.

The success of the foundation’s work is made possible in large part by the long-standing, sincere, and dedicated support and cooperation of our trusted local representatives.

Impact

Since 1989, the Thoma Foundation has been working in a country plagued by corruption, inequality, and poverty to support needy, sick, and elderly people, as well as large families in the city of Sighișoara, with the aim of giving them a better chance at a life that is less filled with suffering and somewhat more dignified. Working together according to the principle of “empowering people to help themselves” we sensitively strive to bring about improvements while avoiding shame and humiliation. In doing so, we are able to verify both the progress being made and that the funds are being used for their intended purpose.

Personal Approach

In addition to financial assistance and the distribution of in-kind donations, one of the distinctive features of the Thoma Foundation is, above all, its personal approach to those it serves. Both the opportunity for those in need to share their concerns and the sincere empathy shown toward their problems are at least as important to them as material aid. In accordance with the wishes of the foundation’s founder, Harald Thoma, spring and fall trips to Sighișoara have been organized for over 30 years. During these trips, a member of the Thoma family personally visits each family to assess their current situation, explore additional ways to help, and ensure that the aid funds provided are being used appropriately.

Change through Education

Over the years, we have come to realize that the vicious cycle of poverty can only be broken if we tackle the problem at its root. Children from low-income families or families with many children often do not have the same opportunities for academic success. For this reason, we are particularly committed to supporting motivated students, so that they can build a better future for themselves through their own efforts.

“When it all began back in Ceausescu’s day with the first aid shipment, none of us could have imagined that this would continue for more than three decades. Perhaps we wouldn’t have started at all otherwise - and that would have been wrong.”

Our Team (Germany)

Harald Thoma († 2003)

In 1989, Harald Thoma spontaneously decided to travel to Transylvania with his wife Ingrid after reading a newspaper article about the conditions there. It was meant to be a one-time trip; he never imagined it would turn into so many years. Shortly before his death in 2001, he founded the Thoma Foundation. Since his death, his work has been carried on by his wife and their two children, Annekatrin and Ralf.

Ingrid Thoma († 2026)

After her husband’s death, Ingrid Thoma continued his work alongside her children, Annekatrin and Ralf, well into her old age. Until her death in 2026, she was also the main point of contact with our friends at the Lions Club Am Tegernsee. Romania always held a special place in her heart. With great passion and patience, she worked year after year to gradually improve conditions, serving as an inspiration for the next generations of the Thoma family to carry on her legacy.

Ralf Thoma

In addition to his regular trips to Sighisoara, Ralf, as chairman of the board, handles all administrative matters. He works tirelessly to ensure that every single cent reaches those in need.

Annekatrin Lamothe (formerly Thoma)

In addition to her trips to Sighisoara, Annekatrin supports the work of the Thoma Foundation as chair of its advisory board. She also helps with our annual fundraising drive by coordinating the effort and collecting and labeling the banana boxes.

Daniel Lamothe

Harald’s eldest grandson has been supporting the foundation’s relief efforts since his first relief trip in 2014 and also visits Sighisoara regularly. Since June 2019, he has served on the board of the Thoma Foundation alongside his brother and is currently vice chairman.

Kevin Lamothe

Since his first aid trip to Romania in the spring of 2018, Kevin has been working on behalf of his grandparents for the Thoma Foundation - whether by providing support in Germany, documenting the foundation’s activities through photos and videos, or making regular visits to Sighisoara. Since June 2019, he has served on the Thoma Foundation’s board of directors alongside his brother.

Our Team (Romania)

Anika Zegheru

When we arrived in Sighișoara in 1989, we happened to run into Anika’s uncle, Hans Hedrich, at the market square. He spoke to us in German and helped us during our first stay. A long-standing and trusting friendship developed with Hans and Arpi, Anika’s father. Anika had been following our work and the aid we provided even as a little girl; “I grew up with it,” she says. Today, our work would be unimaginable without her; she is our voice and our right-hand woman. While we’re away, she manages the sponsorships and bread subscriptions and does the shopping for the food bags. Those in need come to her when they’re in a pinch. She learns about people who urgently need help not only through the Săsesc social services office or the local churches. During our visits, she takes time off work to look after us, and we’re allowed to stay with her. She accompanies us on our visits, drives us from place to place, translates for us, and knows everything there is to know - she is simply irreplaceable to us!

Margarete Fazakas

LC Schäßburg

Margarete was the secretary to the mayor of Sighișoara. Since we, too, were seeking to establish contact with City Hall, we “inevitably” came into contact with her, and a trusting friendship developed from that. Today, “Manci” is retired but continues to volunteer in many areas. She is an active member of the Sighișoara Lions Club, founded by Harald Thoma, and is familiar with and supports all the projects we sponsor in close collaboration with the club, such as the scholarship recipients at Liceul Tehnologic No. 1 or the Rora children in elementary school. Furthermore, she handles the organization and execution of our annual shipment; without her help, it would be very difficult for us to get our relief supplies through customs. She manages a storage room in Sighișoara and oversees the distribution of the relief supplies. As a former secretary, she handles the necessary administrative “paperwork” and accounting with expertise and diligence. We are happy and grateful that we can rely on Manci and that she actively supports us with her experience and help - we cannot and would not want to do without her.

Lions Club Am Tegernsee

Special thanks are also due to the Lions Club Am Tegernsee. As part of our long-standing collaboration on our aid project, the volunteers from the Lions Club Am Tegernsee have contributed many in-kind and monetary donations, but above all, they have invested their time - and have thus made a significant difference over the years.

The Lions Club’s support is essential for those in need in the local community, and we are grateful for this ongoing partnership.

Foundation History

Ingrid Thoma – Co-Initiator and Co-Founder of the Romania Aid

The Trigger – Christmas 1988

It all began when my husband, Harald Thoma, and I read in the press around Christmas 1988 about the conditions in Romania under Ceausescu’s regime. Ceausescu had many small farming villages razed to the ground with the aim of resettling the previously self-sufficient farmers into prefabricated apartment buildings in larger cities. This spurred Harald to take action, and with the help of local parishes, we obtained numerous addresses of families in need throughout Romania. We decided to visit them to find a place where our help was especially needed... and then we just set off.

The First Trip to Romania

The car trip turned out to be more difficult than we had expected. After crossing the border from Hungary into Romania, we encountered a lack of understanding from the customs officials, who didn’t grasp the reason for our trip. We’re not in any trouble! Harald and I remained calm, unloaded everything from our car as ordered, and took our time having a snack. Eventually, after hours, the customs officials let us enter the country even without the required visa. However, we had the feeling that we were being followed afterward by the Securitate, the secret police at the time.

Arrival in Sighișoara

After visiting other cities and families on our list, we finally arrived in Sighișoara in Transylvania. It was immediately clear to us that this was where we would face the greatest challenge in combating poverty, and that those in need truly required our help to survive.

Meeting Hans Hedrich and the Szapanyos Family

Another reason we ultimately chose this town for our aid effort was Hans Hedrich, a teacher at the Sighișoara high school, who had applied to emigrate to Germany and was therefore considered an enemy of the state. We met Hans by chance in the Sighișoara market square; he spoke German and willingly helped us find the addresses of the Romanian families in town. He was the brother-in-law of Roszi Szapanyos, Anika’s mother. That is how we came into contact with Arpi Szapanyos, the father of our closest confidant today, and her family in Sighișoara.

Building a Network of Trust

A long-standing network of trusted individuals whom we can rely on and who have since become our friends. In addition, we consistently receive reliable assistance from the Lions Club in Sighișoara, founded by Harald Thoma in 2002.

From a One-Time Effort to Lasting Aid

The original idea of providing aid on site just once fell apart during that very first trip, when we witnessed the extreme poverty, hardship, and dire conditions. Back in Germany, we decided to continue organizing aid trips to Romania.

Support from the Lions Club Am Tegernsee

A lucky break came to our aid when the Lions Club Am Tegernsee took a liking to our efforts. We remain grateful to the club to this day for its long-standing support.

2001 – Founding of the Thoma Foundation

In 2001, shortly before he passed away, Harald founded the Thoma Foundation. It was his heartfelt wish that the foundation be carried on in his spirit, which I continue to do with conviction to this day, with the full support of my children

Poverty has no lobby -but great perseverance.