Christina Anderwald

Organisational manager of the Caritas outpatient clinic Marienambulanz

„You create a path by walking it.“

“When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.” This quote from liberation theologian Hélder Câmara became Christine Anderwald’s guiding principle. One of her many talents is her ability to inspire people with an idea, which made it possible to realise a project such as the Marienambulanz. Born in the Mürz Valley as one of eight children in a mountain farming family, she chose a path that was not dictated by her circumstances. She attended nursing school and became a mother at an early age, completed her training as a registered nurse in psychiatry and neurology, worked at the Sigmund Freud Psychiatric Hospital and finally in refugee care at Caritas, where she gained the experience and knowledge for setting up the Marienambulanz.

In 1999, the Marienambulanz opened, offering free initial and basic medical care for people who have fallen through the cracks of all healthcare networks. It comprises a general medical practice, a practice for diabetes, hypertension, psychiatry and gynaecology, mobile medical care, social psychiatric work, medical care and street work in the field of drug abuse. From 2005 onwards, Christine Anderwald was the organisational manager of this indispensable outpatient clinic and, until her retirement in 2012, developed it into a Europe-wide showcase project in the healthcare sector.

She has received several awards for her charitable work, including the Styrian Human Rights Award. She currently volunteers as a German language and integration mentor for refugees, among other tasks.