„Roots for Tomorrow“
Andreas, why this fundraising project – and why now?
An anniversary is a natural moment to look ahead. It was important to us to support something that has an impact beyond the day-to-day. Our family has had a personal connection to World Vision for many years. Through child sponsorships, we’ve seen how holistically they work: food and water, but also education, health, and strengthening entire communities. That convinced us.
What does the project in Uganda involve?
It’s about large-scale re-greening: more than two million hectares of land. What makes it special is the FMNR approach – Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration. Instead of planting new trees at great expense, the method uses existing, often invisible root systems of previously cleared trees. These roots are uncovered, protected, and selectively pruned so they can sprout again. This allows new, resilient trees to grow directly from the soil – faster, more cost-efficient, and with strong acceptance in the villages.
Why is this so urgent in Uganda in particular?
Because climate change and deforestation are already being felt there on a massive scale: soils are degraded, droughts and floods are increasing, harvests are collapsing. Without trees, there is no humus, no water, no stable agriculture. Re-greening is therefore a powerful lever – both ecologically and socially.
You speak of a “holistic” approach. What do you mean by that?
Support for self-reliance only works when the basic conditions are in place: fertile soil, access to water, medical care, schooling for children. FMNR addresses exactly that. When the environment recovers, yields increase, conflicts over scarce resources decrease, and families regain a sense of perspective. It transforms an entire region in a lasting way.
How is MÜHLE involved in concrete terms?
For our anniversary, we launched a joint fundraising campaign – with a dedicated project page on World Vision and the option to donate during checkout in the MÜHLE online shop. Every contribution made through these channels goes 100% to the project. Our donation goal is 10,000 euros, and we’ve currently reached around 60 percent of that. Which means: in the coming weeks, every contribution, no matter how small, truly counts! We’re currently running a great giveaway to accompany the campaign.
Why not a local project in the Erzgebirge?
We continue to support initiatives there as well – hospice work, regional clubs and associations, cultural and sports projects. Beyond that, we’ve been supporting Doctors Without Borders and Bread for the World for many years. In this case, though, our family’s long-standing connection to World Vision was decisive. We’ve known their work since the 1990s, we know how transparent it is, and we see that re-greening in Africa is currently one of the most effective responses to the consequences of climate change and the social challenges arising from it.
What moved you most personally in working with World Vision?
Seeing how quickly people’s lives change when the environment begins to recover. Stories of families who once relied on food rations and are now growing their own crops are incredibly motivating. They show what’s possible when ecological and social questions are addressed together.
Your father once said: “Valuing people is part of being an entrepreneur.” Does that apply here as well?
That attitude has shaped us. To me, valuing people means looking closely, listening, taking responsibility – on a small scale and a large one. If we as a company can contribute to something that demonstrably works and strengthens people in the long term, then we should do so.
How can our readers support the project?
The easiest way is to donate via the World Vision project page or to add a donation when shopping in our online store. As I said: every contribution helps. And please spread the word – awareness is a real multiplier for a project like this.
Join in, contribute & win!
As the year comes to an end, we want to strengthen our reforestation project in Uganda together with you. You donate – we double it: Every donation made until 31 December 2025 has twice the impact and is automatically entered into our anniversary prize draw.
You’ll have the chance to win a truly unique piece of shaving culture: a one-of-a-kind PURIST shaving set handmade in our manufactory from rare elm burl wood.
Find out how to take part and discover all details here.
