THE VISION
We want to bring you closer to the vision of Buhay, sharing what inspires and motivates us:
I see you (Awakened)
Poetry Slam von Marco Michalzik
When beauty rises from ashes and healing emerges from brokenness and shattered shards.
When receivers become transmitters,
Listeners transform into actors,
And those who have received cannot help but give.
When beloved creations become generous givers of good gifts,
When mercy melts cold indifference,
When experienced grace turns into mercy,
When justice and peace tentatively begin to kiss,
When we live out love, uphold hope, create justice, and enthusiastically affirm mercy –
Favor peace for the wounded, strive for reconciliation,
Extend a helping hand to those who stumble and fall
And stand with those along the margins of the path,
Then I will see you.
Beauty from the ashes
Healing.
Mercy. Grace. Compassion. Enthusiastic affirmation.
Standing against coldness, indifference, and division.
Living love.
When recipients become givers.
I could quote every line from Marco's poetry slam. His words express what’s in my heart and what I long for Buhay to reflect. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5 that we should be moved by love. That’s our motivation at Buhay. I am convinced that being “moved by the love of God” is the key to the power that brings healing out of brokenness. Through this love, darkness is transformed into light.
At Buhay, we strive to make the most of the opportunities and talents we have. Each person is uniquely gifted by God, but perfectionism or fear of failure often holds us back from even beginning. We're often plagued by thoughts like: “What can I do?” “It’s just a drop in the ocean.” “How could this possibly work?” We think within the limits of our human abilities instead of relying on and cooperating with an infinite and all-powerful God who walks with us.
God had a plan
As you’ve read in our origin story, everything began with a vision and €10. It seemed like we had nothing, in a country and culture foreign to us. But God had a plan and had already prepared everything. We wanted to share this truth: Together with God, we are unstoppable, and anything is possible! God has placed gifts and talents in each person, waiting to be discovered and used. Every person has intrinsic value given by God, a worth that is indestructible and doesn’t depend on performance, success, failure, or others’ opinions. It is never too late to start anew and take a new path.
Everybody counts
At Buhay, we are committed to providing opportunities for people to discover and use their worth, as well as their gifts and talents. We ask ourselves: How can I face the suffering of others with what I have and who I am?
God's truth is God's love and God's love sets us free from ourselves for our fellow beings. Being free means nothing other than being rooted in love.
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Recipients become transmitters
Who am I really? What do I truly have? What defines me? What is my identity? These are fundamental questions we deeply explore at Buhay. Our entire team – employees, volunteers, and the local community – are encouraged to reflect on these questions in quiet moments.
Since the beginning, Buhay has followed the principle of "recipients become transmitters." What have I received—love, knowledge, talents, or material things—that I can now pass on? Often, children or young people we have supported since 2018 are now working on the project themselves, passing on what they have received. Likewise, volunteers take what they have learned and share it when they return to their home countries. You can be a giver anywhere in the world.
Our culture
It isalso important to us to build deep and honest relationships where mistakes are allowed, where you don’t have to be perfect, and where you can be authentic and grow. At Buhay, we aim to create an environment where people learn to express their opinions andneeds, listen to one another, seek forgiveness, respect each other, and collaborate to find solutions and next steps. Buhay should be a place of trust and safety—a safe space for uncertainty.
We often believe we need to present ourselves differently to avoid rejection, or that we must achieve something to feel like we belong. At Buhay, we strive to build and live out relationships that are appreciative and transparent, where mistakes and weaknesses are accepted. We are allowed to fall, rise again, argue, forgive, and start anew.
These values motivate and guide our work, and we hope they’re reflected in all our projects and interactions with each other.
What is important to us
We are convinced that body, mind and soul are connected and that it is important to grow and be healthy in all these areas. Our work, which focuses on each of these areas, is intended to be holistic and sustainable. It is important to us to go into depth. We want to build bridges and pave the way for an all-round healthy life.