Women's Portraits

Gerlinde Horn

Gerlinde Horn, founder of the „Häferl“ and a school in Ghana.

„My experiences as a pastor for prisoners have encouraged me founding a communication centre for released prisoners or prisoners on parole and homeless. There should be a place for them to be accepted and to simply have the possibility to talk with somebody“ relates Gerlinde Horn on the occasion oft he interview with her.

Elfi: „Would you relate something about your childhood and youth?“

Gerlinde: „I was born 1941. My parents succeeded in keeping me away of the problems of wartime and the following occupation.“

Elfi: „How was your education and was it useful for your later tasks ?“

Gerlinde: „After having completed elementary school I went to home economics school, an important advantage for the later structure of a school for women in Ghana/ Africa and for the house keeping of an extended family. I was also instructed in music, zither, piano and organ, much later I have learnt to play cello. These proficiencies were very useful to gain my aims.“

Elfi: „You have worked many years as a pastor for prisoners, would you relate over that ?“

Gerlinde: „I have come to that by caring for refugees and released prisoners. I have practised these activities for 40 years as a part-time employment at 3 Viennese prisons and at the prison for youths. All time – with only one exception- I was accepted by the persons I had to care. My experiences as pastor of prisoners have encouraged me in founding a communication centre for released prisoners or prisoners on parole and homeless. There should be a place for them to be accepted and to simply have the possibility to talk with somebody.“

Elfi: „Who has supported you at this project ?“

Gerlinde: „At first I had to find premises. There was the parson of the Gustav Adolf church in the 6 th Viennese district who put me at the disposal of the vacant but utterly desolate dwellling of a former church servant. The heavy clearance of lumber and tidying up was managed with the assistance of my children and people of the parish and other helpers. Redesigning of the rooms was necessary and managed by assistance of an architect who did not charge for it.

The first financial means resulted from a personal inheritance and the generous last will of an unknown woman, who had lived herself in a very modest dwelling.The annual financial requirements are provided by the deaconry.“

Elfi : „Were there difficulties with the visitors of the „Häferl“ and what do you think about the future ?“

Gerlinde : „It was never necessary to call assistance from outside to resolve conflicts between the visitors of the „Häferl“. The inquiry about the present position and the future measures will be answered more competent by the present manager:

„The greatest problem is the increasing demand- instead of 75 visitors on opening days (3 days a week) the number of visitors is increasing up to 149 visitors. The opening days have to be extended - there is planned a 4 th opening day from september.“ On account of the inquiry about aggression problems relates the manager: „There are none, we give back the dignity to the men, simply even by serving the meals avoiding a general feeding.“

Elfi :“ From where do you take the themes of your numerous publications?“

Gerlinde : „The topics for my stories and tales are resulting mostly from my experiences during the care of prisoners, likewise from my events in Africa, where I was strongly impressed by the desert.“

Elfi: „How happened the foundation of the school for women in Ghana?“

Gerlinde: „I owe my travels to Africa to a friend from schooltime, who lived there. By suggestion of an Evangelic parson of a parish over there I have constructed a school for home economics for women. The school is attended at present by 120 women.“

Elfi : „ And the novel „YAO- my Africa“ results from that time ?“

Gerlinde : „Yes, I had to write it only in the bush, where I have also painted the watercoloured illustrations. Otherwise I was always a part of a community.“

Elfi : „You have participated in the foundation oft he „Suisse House“ where the project: „Therapy instead of punishment“ is installed?“

Gerlinde : „Yes, somebody has to begin. Almost by chance I heard from the sale of a house in the surrounding of Vienna and could arrange it for this purpose.The establishment and the project are now promoted and subsidized by the Austrian ministry of Justice.“

Elfi : „How could you realize all these projects ?“

Gerlinde :“ As mother of an extended family I had always to find a way to get along . Precisely the same I did with my projects. I have acted likewise as if I would work at home.“

Many thanks for your good will to be interviewed.

Gerlinde Horn was and is all her life a woman engaged for the community. Her private activities are expressed in painting - with the desert as main topic- as well as in playing cello - also in public smaller circles. She writes books: „Interview with a dead fish „, „YAO-my Africa“, „where the desert ends begins the heaven“, „The colours of life“ and more.

„Häferl“ is in Vienna a cup for tea or coffee. In this case it is used for a spiritual home.

Elfriede Marek (Interview) Veronika Schnablegger (photo and video)