Baku, Azerbaijan, September 25, 2017. Lenka Dürr is not only the libero of Germany national team, but also someone who deeply cares about social causes – and since a couple of years she has been an ambassador for a non-governmental organisation, “Volleyball ohne Grenzen”, which literally stands for “Volleyball without borders”.

“This is something which is really close to my heart,” she reveals and that is something you can read in her eyes. “Back in 2015 the founders of this association addressed a letter to me, asking whether I would be interested in supporting their work. I felt honoured they thought of me for this task and I did not hesitate a second to accept,” she continues.

She has become a close friend with the main man behind this organisation, which is raising funds to provide equipment and other tools for people living in less developed regions of countries such as Thailand and Laos so that the local youth discover Volleyball, have fun with it and enjoy an opportunity to develop physically and socially via the sport.

“Unfortunately I have not been able to travel there and to visit one of these camps so far, since I am always busy. As soon as the club season ends, I have commitments towards the national team, so there is always something, which prevents me from finding the time to get there and have a closer look at what they are doing,” Lenka says. “However, I invite all Volleyball fans, even those living outside of Germany, to visit their website – and hopefully you can make a donation. I am sure that even a small amount of money can make a big difference in the life of those people living in such poor areas.”



She regularly joins fund-raising actions by donating shirts and other Volleyball memorabilia – and she has involved other members of the national team in similar actions. “I just think we can achieve so much by doing so little, so if anyone is able to contribute, that would be awesome,” Lenka adds.

At 26 years of age, Lenka has travelled the world playing in countries as diverse as Azerbaijan, Poland – and Romania is now next. “I feel privileged and my time in Baku - where I spent two years - was just great. Azerbaijani people are very warm and welcoming, sometimes you have to deal with a language barrier because they speak little English or no English at all, but they always want to find ways to help and assist.

“I just think that living in different countries and adjusting to different cultures and habits makes you develop into a better person. You learn someone else’s values – and you grow with that. I will spend the next season in Romania playing for C.S.M. TARGOVISTE and I am really excited about it – since I will discover another country, their people and learn more.”

If there is one thing that Lenka embodies – well, it is that Volleyball knows no borders and truly connects. It connects people, countries, minds, cultures and much more.

If anyone wants to know more about “Volleyball without borders’, please visit their official website here.