OUR TEAM
GERO STEPHAN
After graduating from high school in 2010, Gero went to Labuan Bajo (Flores) to lend a hand at a local rehabilitation center (Binongko St. Damian), led by Sr. Virgula. It was through his work with the local people, and especially through the warmth, kindness and hospitality of the Indonesian helpers that Gero was inspired to go back to Flores. After four years of preparation and several visits later, he was able to start this project together with a group of Indonesian friends. He founded IDPDF in Vienna and he travels to Indonesia at least yearly, bringing new donations and working directly with the team on the development of the project.
CARLES KARYANTO
Carles is the head of the Indonesian organization PDF as well as its founder. Together with Gero, he launched the plan for a social project in 2014. Carles, who himself suffers from a physical disability and is now in a wheelchair, was able to complete a teacher degree at Denpasar Saraswati University in 2007, despite his physical limitations. Supported and financed by German missionaries, he was offered this opportunity. Therefore he knows first-hand how valuable good training is and how important fair treatment and proper support are for people with disabilities in a society. Carles is extremely committed and is constantly working with the whole team to push the project forward and find ways to optimize the organization. In the administrative area, transparency to the outside world is particularly important to him.
AUGUSTINUS BONSA
Augustus Bonsa, usually called Gusti, comes from Sita Manggarai Timur. He has been living in Labuan Bajo with his wife and two daughters since 2010. He is a trained master builder and is responsible for the care of patients and the planning of infrastructure projects. When he lost his father at the age of 11, he and his family faced the existential abyss. Together with his mother and siblings, he was admitted to a rehabilitation center (in Cancar), which was managed by Sister Virgula. The experience of helping others not alone and the early coexistence with people with different disabilities and illnesses shaped in him a strong social awareness and commitment.
FREDI JOHAR
Fredi also comes from sita manggarai timur and is Gusti’s youngest brother. He is the latest addition to PDF. He is a strong support for the internal communication of the organization as well as for the evaluation of new patients. He and Gusti shared the same fate as children, which is why he also has a very social streak and in contact with the patients and their families has become an extremely important link for the organization.