Prince Joachim as Patron of CARE

[Muhler]

And Joachim has now arrived in Africa.

Billed Bladet is providing a day to day breif account of what is going on.
It's the reporter Henrik Salling who is covering the visit, for the past years it has been very much Trine Larsen's area and she has been very good. It will be interesting to read Henrik Salling's articles next week.

Day one: Billed-Bladet - Prins Joachim i Afrika - Dag 1
Arrival near the Kilimanjaro, which they couldn't see due to darkness setting in.

Day two: Billed-Bladet - Prins Joachim i Afrika - Dag 2
Visiting a Masai village, where a well is to be dug. That means they won't have to walk for kilometres to get water.
Joachim was honored with the title of "Elder".

[Muhler]

Day 3 of Joachim's visit: Billed-Bladet - Prins Joachim i Afrika - Dag 3

This time a sightseeing, starting at way-too-early in the morning. They visited the Ngorongoro crater, where thousands of wild animals live and ended up at a Danish owned coffee plantation.
I guess this was one of the days it was good to be a royal reporter.

[iceflower]

Finally a first larger gallery of Prince Joachim's journey with several interesting and impressing shots:



** ppe gallery **

[iceflower]

Days 4-6 have been covered by Billed-Bladet as well:



** Prins Joachim i Afrika - Dag 4 ** translation **


** Prins Joachim i Afrika - Dag 5 ** translation **


** Prins Joachim i Afrika - Dag 6 ** translation **

[Muhler]

Translation of article in Billed Bladet #36, 2012.
Joachim den Ældre – Joachim the Elder.
Written by our man in Tanzania, Henrik Salling.

For more than twenty years Prince Joachim has supported and worked for the aide-organisation Care Danmark. An organisation, which works on long-term solutions in the third world.
Prince Joachim has every two years taken part in a tour to one of Care’s focus-areas in order to see for himself how the aide is getting there and how it is administered. (*)
Therefore the Prince last Friday said goodbye to both Princess Marie and the couple’s two children in order to go for a longer trip to Tanzania and Kenya.
And it’s a tight schedule the Prince is exposed to. From early morning to late in the evening there are visits planned, aimed at demonstrating what challenges Africa is still facing.
As soon as Saturday morning was the Prince presented with both big experiences and thought provoking people.
The course was set towards a smaller enclave of clay-huts, where a large group of Masais – the local tribes-people – stood and waited to receive the guest of honour.
Several had gotten there after many hours of walking in order to see for themselves the tall Prince from the high north, who as always showed a big interest for the way of life of the locals.
The Masias reciprocated for the grand visit with presents and a great appointment. Prince Joachim was appointed as one of “the Elders”. A great honour according to Masai tradition.
Care supports the Masais in their continued wish for wandering with their herds (**) and it was applauded loudly when Joachim could announce that drilling for a well would be started shortly. The Masais walk daily for many kilometres in order to fetch firewood and not least water for their animals. As such a well is an important thing to make life a little easier for these people.
Later in the day the trip went far inland, on roads full of holes and in an eternal dust cloud from the dry landscape. The red dust enveloped the cortege of cars, which however finally reached to the destination. A so-called savings/loan-group in the village of Endamarariek in the Karatu-district.
- “It’s fantastic to see how it works”, told Prince Joachim with usual enthusiasm. Once a week a number of villagers in the little village meet. Each brings the amount they can do without in that particular week. The money is saved and after a year the money is paid out. It is also possible for the savers – via an attached bank – to loan up to three times as much as what is saved. (***)
And Prince Joachim was very delighted. He had an opportunity to take part in one of the meetings and could see for himself, with which eager the participants took part.
- “Instead of having them lying around at home, they grow in this way”, said Prince Joachim after the meeting. – “Here they don’t save of for a TV set to hang on the wall or for a holiday abroad. Here every penny is considered. What’s the need of the family? Is it another domestic animal or education for the children”?
- “The whole core of the savings/lend-groups is mutual respect. The savings they build up week by week, may not look much more than a bag of sweets (****) to a Dane, but it works and that’s a positive spiral”, said the Prince who could only commend the initiative of Care.

(*) One of the main problems aide organisations has to struggle with, both in the countries where the aide is going to but also here in DK, is the large-scale corruption. A considerable percentage of the money and goods simply vanish and that affects the willingness to donate here in DK.
Care is using simple means aimed directly at small-scale local projects in order to get around that problem.

(**) Drought may not be the biggest problem in this particular area. But it is among Masais further north and some years ago there was an initiative to convince the Masais to substitute their cattle, with camels. Camels are well suited to periods of drought and able to provide meat and milk. The Masais didn’t like the idea! They are a warrior-tribe; they heard cattle and have always herded cattle. (That is when they didn’t raid cattle, but that was in the old days). As I understand, a common greeting among Masais is not “how do you do”, but “how is your cattle”.

(***) Probably a very good idea with a limit. One of the major problems with micro-loans is that the lenders often end up with a debt, and if whatever project they lend money to failed, they have to loan more money in order to pay off that debt. To us a trivial amount, but to a very poor family, a huge debt.

(****) That much!?! – Sorry, couldn’t resist. Sweets is getting pretty expensive here in DK. Which is why we hook on our trailers and embark on our monthly pilgrimage to Germany, where we buy those goods that the government in their infinite wisdom has increased taxes on.

[iceflower]

Germany is a sweets paradise, isn't it? Well, compared to many other Eurpean countries food prices are generally quite low here..


What about the media coverage - TV reports and other magazines besides Billed-Bladet - is his journey much noticed or not?


Here's another gallery ppe has added:


** ppe gallery Tanzania **

[Muhler]

No, very little coverage.

It's a very sad fact, that no matter how good and needy a cause Joachim, (and Frederik too), are trying to put focus on, there is very little interest in the main stream media, and even on royal forums. - Unless they are accompanied by their wives.

[iceflower]

Yes, that's a fact I also disapprove each time it happens..



** Prins Joachim i Afrika - Dag 7 ** translation **

[iceflower]

No extra article for day 8 (or I've overseen it) - now Prince Joachim is in Kenya, the second part of his CARE journey:


** Prins Joachim i Afrika - Dag 9 ** translation **

[iceflower]

.

Yesterday, September 9, Joachim has visited local farmers, the Karen Blixen museum in Nairobi and a firm that produces insects for a biological pest control.


** ppe gallery **


** Prins Joachim i Afrika - dag 10 ** translation **

[iceflower]

The journey comes to an end soon - yesterday, Prince Joachim visited a school, the Grundfoss pumping station and the Sunripe packing factory in Nairobi. Altogether a large number of impressions and experiences to tell of at home..



** ppe gallery **


** Prins Joachim i Afrika - dag 11 ** translation **

[Muhler]

If you should chose to read this interview, you may end up thinking how fortunate you are.

Translation of interview in Billed Bladet #38, 2012.
Interviewer: Henrik Salling.

Q: What feelings come to you when you experience want and misery?
J: “That the world unfortunately is like that. Many things could be done in the ideal world. Unfortunately the ideal world doesn’t exist. But we can make a difference with very small means and when first the populations accepts wanting to be helped, then it can actually happen. It’s about breaking some habits – without denying them the culture”.

Q: So the feeling is that the work makes a difference?
J: “It makes a difference. No doubt about that. We in Care can boast about having a big influence”.

Q: Can you talk about a climax on this trip? (As in: is that at all possible?)
J: “That’s difficult. Things (impressions) has to settle first But we do have several examples of how a Care-project succeeded”.

Q: You visited some pregnant women at a hospital in Zanzibar. There the women lay sixteen-eighteen in the same room and gave birth next to each other. How was that?
J: “That was very interesting. Almost shocking. I do however always choose to see the positive in the realities. It’s fantastic that the hospital-staff accomplishes so much for so many and for so few means. Two women on the same mattress, where one has to move over, while the other deliver a child. Then to be two again on the mattress afterwards. When you look at the statistics over how many children that are saved, it’s a fantastic achievement”.

Q: You yourself know an incredible lot about Africa and the problems here. Why do you think it’s difficult to get the Danes to be interested in the problems of Africa?
J: “The Danes are fortunately very interested in Africa. But we have our own views and agendas. During the 60’s and 70’s we’ve heard about places where things have gone bad – seriously bad actually. And Africa has always been a part of that.
We have fortunately also heard about places where things have gone well.
I don’t think there is a Dane who hasn’t at some point in his childhood has heard that it went bad somewhere down here. Then you beat the drums for a disaster and get raised some funds. Fundraising which are very different from when I was a child. Now it’s done as an event or a TV-show. It’s very clever, because that brings in much more money.
The Danes don’t mind supporting”.

Q: You mentioned yourself memories from the childhood. Can you remember when you yourself noticed that we live in a privileged country?
J: “I can’t put a year on that, but it must have been in the beginning of the 70’s. I can’t remember exactly what country, but it had something to do with a famine caused by a civil war. (*) And nature has probably made it even worse”.

Q: Do you try to pass on the commitment you put in to relief-effort on to your own children?
J: “I’ve talked to them about that several times. I always tell them when I’m going on travels. And (I) tell them about it when I come home. It’s a good way for them to see things in perspective. To explain to them how things are in the countries I travel to. That our world is like that.
That’s why it’s our humane duty to contribute with what we can. And them I explain to them what it is I’m running around doing down here and what I experience.
I explain to them what we manage to accomplish in Care. In that way they get a picture of the conditions.
It’s not that I put them on a bench and lecture them that they are spoiled rotten. But they must know how the world is and that we each and everyone actually can do something. And they take that in very well”.

Q: It’s I guess almost in the work-description for royals that you have to get involved in humanitarian work?
J: “You can put it like that. We can, as persons about whom there is a lot of attention, help shed light over the problems.
When I about every two years visit the projects of Care and other projects which involve Denmark, that fortunately helps shed a light over the problems that certain parts of the world are facing”,

Q: Do you phone home to the family, while you are away?
J: “There is written and phoned home often, so that I can tell about what I experience. Pour out of my experiences from the day. It’s a good way to get it off your chest.
In the delegation we have experiences basically the same thing. But to phone or write home means that I can describe what we are doing, and then it helps to put things into perspective”.

Q: Would it have been nice to bring your wife with you?
J: “Of course! But I must also be the first to say – and I’ve told her that – the trips with Care is tough reality, but for the eyes and the heart.
But also for the muscles and the sleep. As taking part in the travel I have an obligation – also on the last day – to be awake/in good spirit/attentive. Because those we visit on the last day has the right of just as much attention and interest as those on the first day”.

Q: It is also a very relaxed Prince Joachim, one experience on these travels. Is it nice to away a bit from the Danish daily pond?
J: “It is actually. There are a lot of templates for officials trips. But here it’s about compassion, which can be stressful and tough. It’s nice that we can travel as one company.
When the projects have been visited we shut down for the official part (behavior). In that way it becomes more relaxing. It’s more practical that the entire group live in the same place. In that way you can also discuss the day with each other”.

Q: You also had an opportunity to tell some of the women at Zanzibar about your own family?
J: “Yes, that was a lot of fun. There sure were questions! Among other things they would like to know how many children I had and whether I was married and whether we in Denmark live close to our family like in Africa. To that I could answer that my parents live just across (the square) and that my brother lives next to. So in that way it’s fortunate that Amalienborg is located as it is. Of course I didn’t go into details. They don’t necessarily need to know about the comparatively size. That’s essential for the conversation”.

Q: You have traveled around the world yourself and gotten dirt under your nails. Could you imagine yourself going out as a relief worker?
J: “I could easily imagine that. It’s incredibly rewarding to help. But you must be prepared as a relief-worker to have some experiences where it isn’t fun and games. There will be tough experiences as well.
Experiences that sets on the retina and which are no fun. You have to be prepared for that as well”.

Q: What do you think you would have been doing today, if you had not been born into the royal family?
J: (Long pause). “I really don’t know. I’ve always known I was to become a farmer since I was very young. And I’ve also been involved in shipping. (**) I probably wouldn’t, had I not been invited.
I’m very spoiled and I’m very grateful for that even to this day. I’ve experienced so much I wouldn’t have, had I not been a member of the royal family”.

Q: Do you sometimes pinch yourself in the arm?
J: “Yes, - and you should. So that you wake up”!

(*) Perhaps Biafra.

(**) While in Hong Kong.

[Muhler]

Joachim has done some tremendous work for Care over the years, but alas, since he is a man and don't wear dresses it doesn't get much attention.

Here are a couple of interviews with him:

BB 2012, Joachim in Tanzania: https://app.box.com/s/f4twqx677g5ojucu7o4d

BB 2012: Joachim in Mozambique: https://app.box.com/s/4e8d3d9y1ymshro2l84s

[Muhler]

There is an avalanche of DRF news today, it's difficult to keep up!

Today, Joachim, who has been patron for CARE DK for 25 years, was (deservedly) honored for his commitment.
And on that occasion a new painting was unveiled to the visibly akward Joachim: http://www.bt.dk/royale/nyt-joachim-...e-synes-om-det

Our Marie was there too and she took a look at the painting and said: "He's very handsome. - This is very much him, because he is both people. Him on the picture - and him", pointing at her husband.

Here is a HQ look at the painting: http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files...7/7357390-.jpg
Painted by Mikael Melbye who has spend more than 200 hour painting it. Joachim posed for two or three settings.
Mikael Melbye has portraied other members of the DRF.

Nice big pics from CARE of Joachim, our Marie and the painting:
http://www.care.dk/wp-content/upload...J_302-Edit.jpg

http://www.care.dk/wp-content/upload...J_274-Edit.jpg

http://www.care.dk/wp-content/upload...im_cropped.jpg

http://www.care.dk/wp-content/upload...J_170-Edit.jpg

http://www.care.dk/wp-content/upload...PJ_63-Edit.jpg

[Emmily]

I like the painting! Not a typical painting of a royal. Very nice.

[iceflower]

.

Some more nice pics of the CARE event can also be found here:



** kongehuset.dk: CARE Prisen 2013 ** sn.dk: Billeder: Prins Joachim modtager CARE-prisen **

[Muhler]

Summary of article in Billed Bladet #21, 2014.
Written by Henrik Salling.

Joachim has been a patron, and an active on, for CARE for 25 years and on that occasion CARE honored him with a portrait and the CARE award, which will be in his posession for the next year.

The painting depicting Joachim in Africa, where he has been so often, was painted by Mikael Melbye and he said: "It's no particular difference from paiting Prince Joachim than any other I have portrayed. What is different is that I know Prince Joachim from our work together at CARE. (Melbye is ambassador for CARE). It has no doubt made it easier. We have crawled around in Masai villages and we have got dust and dung on us together.
To me it's about getting under the skin - no matter who it is I'm painting. Prince Joachim is an easy model. The more free reins I get the better the portrait will get. In this case I was given completely free reins. I presented my draft and that he accepted".
Melbye has previously painted QMII and Christian.

Our reporter asked: Have you (formal you) decided where the trophy will be placed?
Joachim replied: "Well, it is a wandering trophy so I've only got it for a year or so. But in that year it will have a prominent place. Because that one I'd like to show off with. It genuinely means a lot to me. Apart from championship awards, this is actually the first prize I've recieved. It's a fantastic acknowledgement and my ears almsot turned red from the words of praise. But it bloodies the teeth and I'm willing to take on another 25 years".

Q: What does it mean to you?
J: "It means a lot. On my travel with CARE I've seen how important it is that you aim straight, when you work with developement (in developing countries). That's why this prize will find a very special place".

About his travels Joachim said: "I've growen a more thick hide over time, so I'm not as affected as in the beginning. But you cannot grade poverty and it will always be something that affects you. We can't save the world just like that (snapping his fingers). But through CARE's projects we make the world a better place.
I do of course take home my experiences to my children, but we do after all live a very different life. It's difficult to explain it to Prince Henrik, but with my two oldest children I can better explain what it is I experience on my travels".

About the painting: "I think the picture is really neat. I can recognise a CARE situation in the picture. The artist express what he sees - and it resembles. And that is also the word from Princess Marie".
Who added: " The painting is very him. He is both people. Him on the picture - and him here", looking at her husband.

[iceflower]

.

Yesterday, November 11, Prince Joachim as Patron of CARE arrived in Laos for a 1-week-visit.

Here's the programme of the visit:


** kongehuset.dk: HRH Prince Joachim visits Laos **


** BB: Prins Joachim er landet i Laos ** translation **

[Muhler]

Prins Joachim blev petanque-mester i Laos | Billed Bladet

Joachim is as you know in Laos thes days. And here he among other things played petangue. A game that is very popular among the very poor - but also in France..., so when the locals challenged Joachim to a game they were beaten, soundly.

- Petangue is also very popular here in DK especially among senior citizens, keeps them off the streets and out of mischief.
We have a local petangue team here as well and they may look docile enough, like any other nice grandparents. Wrong! They are fanatics, sharks who will skin you should you be foolish enough to challenge them to a game.

[CyrilVladisla]

Originally Posted by iceflower

Finally a first larger gallery of Prince Joachim's journey with several interesting and impressing shots:



** ppe gallery **

It was informative to learn that CARE has saving and loan projects in Ngorongoro.