On February 15, 2024, there was a lot of hustle and bustle at Fasanenholz 5 in Bräuningshof. 

Dieter Castelhun (born on February 15, 1934 in Mannheim) was celebrating his 90th birthday on this day. 

Some loyal friends of the family, Mayor Siebenhaar, the deputy district administrator and Pastor Jahn, head of the Protestant parish of Baiersdorf, came to Casa Castelhun to congratulate him and enjoy a small champagne reception. (Photo Dieter Castelhun 90)

Dieter was particularly pleased about the visit of Reinhard Bogdahn (now also 89 years old), who, as the then pastor of the Protestant parish of Baiersdorf, entrusted the Castelhun’s with the sponsorship of the Hemalata project in India in 1989 and has followed the development of the children’s homes with interest to this day and is an active sponsor himself. (Photo Dieter and Reinhold Bogdahn)

Reinhard Bogdahn congratulates Dieter Castelhun

As a further birthday surprise, Dieter Castelhun was delighted to receive a newspaper report entitled “Learning poverty and then taking action” written and published the day before his birthday by his friend Michael Wuttke (journalist and former editor-in-chief of Fränkischer Tag Bamberg). Photo Mike Wuttke ‘Mike’, as Dieter calls him, has also been a “Hemalata follower” from the very beginning and has followed the development of the Indian orphanages editorially for many years and reported on new developments in the local newspapers in Franconia.

Last but not least, Dieter Castelhun was awarded honorary membership of the Hemalata Children’s Homes and Education Association in South India on this special day.

Back in 2012, Irmgard Castelhun (who passed away in 2019) and Dieter Castelhun (in 2020) were awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon for their many years of commitment to the Hemalata Children’s Homes.

We at the Förderkreis also want to honor this extraordinary achievement of Dieter and Irmgard Castelhun once again and award Dieter (also on behalf of Irmgard) the honorary membership of the Förderverein.

It is now in the hands of the sponsorship team to continue writing the “history” of the Hemalata Children’s Homes and the ZION Technical Institute and to tackle the future challenges and tasks together with our loyal supporters, godparents and sponsors. 

Dieter will continue to support us with his experience and advice. 

Happy 90th birthday dear Dieter, stay healthy and enrich our work with your now. 70 years of experience in India and inspiration for what lies ahead. 

This is what the entire team, your family and close friends wish you.