Swiss Re Civilian Service Prize 2006
The winner of the 2006 Swiss Re Civilian Service Prize is Mr Burkhard P. Varnholt for his commitment and contribution to setting up and realising the "Kids of Africa – The Swiss African Orphanage" project.
Mr Varnholt will receive 200 Swiss Re shares in recognition of his achievements. Mr Varnholt works at Credit Suisse, where he heads the Financial Products & Investment Advisory Department. He is also a member of Credit Suisse's Global Executive Council.
Kids of Africa was founded in 2004. But Mr Varnholt's engagement in Uganda stretches back into the nineties. His initiative is a privately run aid organisation supporting orphans in Uganda.
Foster mothers and fathers look after the children and their upbringing in a specially constructed village on the shores of Lake Victoria near Kampala.
Through the prize, Swiss Re is honouring Mr Varnholt's dedication to a humanitarian initiative which at the same time is a perfect example of sustainable aid. The family as the primary social unit is writ large and helps to foster a sense of belonging and willingness to help. Adolescent orphans help later with the younger ones.
In a country where more than 10% of the population are orphans, this approach is particularly important. For example, the Ugandan village is today managed by three orphans that Mr Varnholt helped almost ten years ago after their parents died.
Mr Varnholt's vision and personal commitment – along with those of all the others who are part of Kids of Africa – have created a future for the children they have helped. Mr Varnholt makes regular trips to Uganda to monitor progress.
The Swiss Re Civilian Service prize: Since 2001
The Swiss Re Civilian Service prize was set up by former Swiss Re Chairman Ulrich Bremi in 2000. Since 2001, the prize has been awarded to individuals who give up their free time to provide a professional service on a voluntary basis.
About Burkhard P. Varnholt
Mr Burkhard P. Varnholt was born in Cologne, Germany. He is married and has one son.
He joined Credit Suisse in 1998, and was appointed to the five-member Investment Team responsible for the bank's investment strategy in 2002.
Mr Varnholt has become a public figure through his work. His economic development analyses and global stock market outlooks are regularly reported in the press.
He is a passionate collector of contemporary art. In the latter half of the nineties he was a member of the acquisition committee of the Tate Gallery in London.
For further information please visit: http://www.kids-of-africa.com
