The team
The people behind Surgical Mission Saarland give their time and expertise. Volunteer-run since 2012.
Volunteer-run since 2012
No fees, no paid leave: the team takes time off to operate. The video explains why.
- Fees
- €0
- Nobody on the team is paid for a mission.
- Vacation
- 4 weeks
- That is how long a mission lasts. The team uses annual leave for it.
- Flights self-funded
- 100%
- Team members pay for their own flights. Donations go to supplies, medication, and training.
People behind the mission
An organization does not board the plane.People do.
Frank Schöndorf
Chair
Master electrician and paramedic. Part of the founding mission on Siquijor in 2012, the emergency response in Tanauan in 2013, and almost every early Philippines mission through 2015.
Christian Motsch
Vice Chair & Mission Coordinator
Certified anesthesia nursing specialist, intensive-care and emergency nurse. Part of every Philippines mission from 2012 to 2017; led the first talks with potential partner hospitals on Mindanao in October 2025.
Dr. med. Andreas Grimme
Treasurer
Surgeon specializing in visceral and minimally invasive surgery, now deployed to the Philippines six times. In June 2025, he cycled 128.55 km and 5,447 meters of elevation, raising €5,861.71 for medical equipment.
Roman Schön
Secretary
Surgical nurse at Klinikum Fulda, preparing the next Philippines mission. “It is fulfilling a life’s dream. It is exactly why we chose this profession.”
Franz-Josef Bermann
Honorary Member, former Chair
Radiologic technologist.
Last updated: September 2026
The next step
The next mission starts with you.
A donation, a membership, or your time: every contribution becomes surgery, safe anesthesia, and training on the ground.
