The Be Your Own Hero projects began with our love for a challenge. Joachim Franz (former extreme athlete) started the „Aids Awareness Expedition“ in 2001/02, using sport to draw attention to an uncomfortable topic. These unexpected activities created awareness through a communication platform. In 2003, the former Comrades runner returned to South Africa, a country in which the topic of HIV/AIDS was highly controversial and urgently in need of addressing. Together with Sandra Wukovich, Daniel Dost, Dr. Michael Strohmann and many voluntary supporters, he succeeded in creating an expedition from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Every day consisted of a marathon of around 150 kilometres by bike and a get-together in the evening to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. On the way to Johannesburg, the team stopped in Underberg and got to know Patricia Crawley & Sister Abigayl. The children of Clouds of Hope won the hearts of the entire expedition team with vibrant singing. This led to a friendship that continues to this day. Initially, the team showed their support by providing Clouds of Hope with a washing machine and a digital camera. This was followed by the wash house; a separate building with washing facilities. Shortly thereafter, funds were raised for additional buildings serving as homes for children and their house moms. A short time later, housing facilities were installed on site. 

Sandra Wukovich and Joachim Franz saw an opportunity to make a contribution to the topic of HIV/AIDS by continually organising new expeditions around the world. In 2006, the team was ready to set up their own voluntary organisation to manage the donations and material support. Since 2015, BE YOUR OWN HERO e.V has worked on projects across continents. In 2021, it was decided that the focus would be on projects in South Africa.

In 2008, as part of another mission, Underberg was once again the destination for the expedition team. For the second time, everyone met. Joachim Franz, Dirk Schuchard and Sandra Wukovich were able to get an idea of the situation on site. At that time, Clouds of Hope needed a secure financial partner for school fees. BE YOUR OWN HERO e.V. pledged its commitment and expanded its cooperation. The German team has received many awards for their activities and its global commitment to HIV/AIDS. The prize money went to BE YOUR OWN HERO e.V. and was used to expand the projects.

With the construction of the Halfway house, the opportunity opened up for children over the age of 18 to be supported in their next phase of development. To this day, the German association and its friends from the Saarland continue to provide this funding. This project was followed by the Safe Houses in Himeville and Underberg, the conversion and restoration of the Reichenau Mission Primary School, a football pitch and the Future Compass centre. Mobility has always been a key focus and the children and youth continue to be safely transported on a daily basis. New programmes and further projects are being planned and progress will be updated through this website.