In a small village (В маленькому селі) near Dresden (поблизу Дрездена), a girl (дівчинка) was born (народилася) in 1928 (у 1928 році). Annemarie had a happy childhood (Аннемарі мала щасливе дитинство). Her parents (Її батьки) had a shop (мали крамницю) in the middle of the village (посеред села), where the girl helped out (де дівчинка допомагала) and enjoyed talking (і любила спілкуватися) with other people (з іншими людьми).

In a small village near Dresden, a girl was born in 1928. Annemarie had a happy childhood. Her parents had a shop in the middle of the village, where the girl helped out and enjoyed talking with other people.

was born – народилася

had – мали, to have – мати

to help out – допомагала, to help - допомагати

Everyone in the shop (Усі в крамниці) called her Ami (називали її Амі).

Ami grew up (Амі росла), the Second World War (Друга Світова Війна) moved across the country (прокотилася країною) and left deep scars (і залишила глибокі шрами). She experienced herself (Вона на власному досвіді відчула) what it meant (що означає) to not have enough (не мати достатньо). She saw (Вона бачила) the hardship (злидні) in people's eyes (в очах людей), the empty shelves (порожні полиці), and the worry (та турботу) on her neighbors' faces (на обличчях своїх сусідів).

Everyone in the shop called her Ami.

Ami grew up, the Second World War moved across the country and left deep scars. She experienced herself what it meant to not have enough. She saw the hardship in people's eyes, the empty shelves, and the worry on her neighbors' faces.

grew up – рости, зростати

deep scars – глибокі шрами

left – залишила, to leave – залишати

saw – бачила, to see – бачити

This time (Цей час) shaped her deeply (глибоко її сформував) and planted a seed (і посіяв насіння) in her heart (в її серці) – the desire (бажання) to always (завжди) be there for others (допомагати людям), especially for those (особливо тим) who had the least (хто мав найменше).

At 18 (У 18 років), she fell in love (вона закохалася) with a young man (в молодого чоловіка) from the village (із села). However (Однак), he had no interest in her (він не виявляв до неї інтересу). She therefore decided (Тому вона вирішила) to leave the small village (покинути маленьке село) to forget (щоб забути) her lovesickness (своє нещасливе кохання). With a small suitcase (З маленькою валізою), she traveled north (вона поїхала на північ).

This time shaped her deeply and planted a seed in her heart – the desire to always be there for others, especially for those who had the least.

At 18, she fell in love with a young man from the village. However, he had no interest in her. She therefore decided to leave the small village to forget her lovesickness. With a small suitcase, she traveled north.

shaped her - сформував її

to be there for others - бути поруч з іншими/ допомагати людям

who had the least - хто мав найменше / був бідним

First (Спочатку), she worked (вона працювала) for several years (кілька років) as a nurse (медсестрою) in a hospital in Schleswig-Holstein (в лікарні у Шлезвіг-Гольштейні). Then (Потім) she met (вона зустріла) her future husband (свого майбутнього чоловіка) and moved to Hamburg (і переїхала до Гамбурга). At that time (У ті часи), women in Germany (жінки в Німеччині) were predominantly housewives (були переважно домогосподарками). So (Тож) Ami took care (Амі дбала) of the household and the children (про господарство та дітей).

She raised two daughters (Вона ростила двох доньок) and lived a happy family life (і жила щасливим сімейним життям). The daughters grew up (Доньки виросли) and left home (і покинули дім).

First, she worked for several years as a nurse in a hospital in Schleswig-Holstein. Then she met her future husband and moved to Hamburg. At that time, women in Germany were predominantly housewives. So Ami took care of the household and the children.

She raised two daughters and lived a happy family life. The daughters grew up and left home.

At that time – У ті часи

to take care – дбати про когось

raised – виростила; to raise – виростити

grew up – стали дорослими /виросли

After almost (Після майже) forty years of marriage (сорока років шлюбу), her husband passed away (її чоловік помер). Ami was 65 years old (Амі було 65 років), lonely, and sad (самотньо і сумно). Suddenly (Раптом), she no longer knew what (вона зовсім не знала) to do with her life (що робити зі своїм життям).

One day (Одного дня), she saw (вона побачила) a report on television (телевізійний репортаж). It was about (У ньому йшлося) a new idea from Berlin (про нову ідею з Берліна): the „Tafel“ Food Bank (продовольчий банк „Тафель").

After almost forty years of marriage, her husband passed away. Ami was 65 years old, lonely, and sad. Suddenly, she no longer knew what to do with her life.

One day, she saw a report on television. It was about a new idea from Berlin: the "Tafel" (the Food Bank).

passed away – помер

knew – знала

saw – побачила, to see – бачити

The idea was as simple (Ідея була настільки ж простою) as it was brilliant (наскільки й геніальною): supermarkets, bakeries, and fruit sellers (супермаркети, пекарні та продавці фруктів) threw away (викидали) tons of food (величезну кількість продуктів) every day (щодня), just because (лише тому) it no longer looked perfect (що вони вже не виглядали ідеально) or the best-before date (або термін придатності) was approaching (добігав до кінця).

The idea was as simple as it was brilliant: supermarkets, bakeries, and fruit sellers threw away tons of food every day, just because it no longer looked perfect or the best-before date was approaching.

threw away – викидали, to throw away – викидати

the best-before date – das Mindeshaltbarkeitsdatum

to approach – наближався /тут: добігав до кінця

A crooked cucumber (Кривий огірок), a yogurt that expired tomorrow (йогурт, термін придатності якого спливав завтра) bread from the day before (вчорашній хліб). All still wonderfully edible (Усе ще було чудовим для споживання), but no longer good enough (але вже не достатньо добрим) for sale (для продажу). The Tafel collected this food ("Тафель" збирав ці продукти) and distributed it to people (і роздавав їх людям) who urgently needed it (які їх гостро потребували).

Back then (Тоді), in the early 90s (на початку 90-х років), just after (одразу після) the reunification of East and West Germany (возз'єднання Східної та Західної Німеччини), there was a lot of poverty (було багато бідності).

A crooked cucumber, a yogurt that expired tomorrow, bread from the day before. All still wonderfully edible, but no longer good enough for sale. The Tafel collected this food and distributed it to people who urgently needed it.

Back then, in the early 90s, just after the reunification of East and West Germany, there was a lot of poverty.

day before – вчора

food – продукти, їжа

to collect – збирати

People in the East (Люди на Сході) were often unemployed (були часто безробітними) and did not have much money (і мали небагато грошей). That is why (Тому) several million of them (кілька мільйонів з них) fled to the West (втекли на Захід) to build a better life there (щоб побудувати там краще життя). In the West however (Однак на Заході), there was a lack of housing (не вистачало житла), so many became homeless as well (тому багато хто став також бездомним).

Even in the otherwise (Навіть у зазвичай) wealthy city of Hamburg (заможному Гамбурзі), there were suddenly (з'явилося раптом) about seven thousand homeless people (близько семи тисяч бездомних).

People in the East were often unemployed and did not have much money. That is why several million of them fled to the West to build a better life there. In the West, however, there was a lack of housing, so many became homeless as well.

Even in the otherwise wealthy city of Hamburg, there were suddenly about seven thousand homeless people.

fled – flohen, to fly – тікати

to build a better life – краще життя побудувати

This touched Ami (Це зворушило Амі) very deeply (дуже сильно) and she decided to help (і вона вирішила допомогти). Because she too (Адже вона теж) had come (приїхала) from the East to the West (зі Сходу на Захід) back then (колись) with only a suitcase in her hand (лише з валізою в руці) and still remembered well (і пам'ятала ще добре) what it is like (як воно є) when you have to start from zero (коли мусиш починати все з нуля).

So she got started (Отже, вона взялася до справи). With the energy of a young girl (З енергією молодої дівчини) and the experience of an older woman (та досвідом старшої жінки), she went to work (вона розпочала роботу). She began (Вона почала) to make phone calls (телефонувати) tirelessly (невтомно).

This touched Ami very deeply and she decided to help. Because she too had come from the East to the West back then with only a suitcase in her hand and still remembered well what it is like when you have to start from zero.

So she got started. With the energy of a young girl and the experience of an older woman, she went to work. She began to make phone calls tirelessly.

decided – вирішила, to decide – вирішувати

to remember – пам'ятати

got started – взялася до справи, to get started – розпочинати

.
She called supermarkets (Вона дзвонила до супермаркетів). "Good day (Доброго дня), my name is Annemarie Dose (мене звати Аннемарі Дозе). You surely throw away food every day (Ви ж, напевно, щодня викидаєте продукти) don't you? (чи не так?) I would like to pick it up (Я б хотіла їх забирати) and distribute it to poor people (і роздавати бідним людям")." Some just hung up (Деякі просто кидали слухавку), others laughed at her (інші сміялися з неї). "What does the old lady want? (Чого хоче ця стара пані?)" they thought (думали вони).

She called supermarkets. "Good day, my name is Annemarie Dose. You surely throw away food every day, don't you? I would like to pick it up and distribute it to poor people." Some just hung up, others laughed at her. "What does the old lady want?" they thought.

throw away – викидати

I would like to – Я б хотіла

to pick up – забирати,

to distribute - роздавати

But Ami did not give up (Але Амі не здавалася). She called (Вона дзвонила) again and again (знову і знову). She explained her idea (Вона пояснювала свою ідею) with so much passion and heart (з такою пристрастю та відданістю) that the people on the other end of the line (що люди на іншому кінці слухавки) fell silent and listened (замовкали і слухали).

Finally, the first supermarket manager said (Нарешті перший менеджер супермаркету сказав): "Alright (Ну добре), come on by (приходьте). But only (Але тільки) what is really left over (те, що дійсно залишилося)."

But Ami did not give up. She called again and again. She explained her idea with so much passion and heart that the people on the other end of the line fell silent and listened.

Finally, the first supermarket manager said: "Alright, come on by. But only what is really left over."

to give – давати

to give up – здаватися, припиняти

left over – залишилися

That was the beginning! (Це був початок!) But now she faced (Але тепер перед нею постала) the next problem (наступна проблема): How was she supposed (Як вона мала) to transport the food? (транспортувати продукти?) She only had her small car (У неї була лише її маленька автівка). And where should she bring it? (І куди вона мала їх везти?)

Then Ami contacted other people (Тоді Амі зв'язалася з іншими людьми) who wanted to help (які хотіли допомогти) and founded the Hamburger Tafel (і заснувала Гамбурзький Тафель).

That was the beginning! But now she faced the next problem: How was she supposed to transport the food? She only had her small car. And where should she bring it?

Then Ami contacted other people who wanted to help and founded the Hamburger Tafel.

the beginning – початок, старт

should – мусити

founded - заснувала

The first day was unforgettable (Перший день був незабутнім). Crates full of yogurt (Ящики, повні йогуртів), bread, fruits, and vegetables (хліба, фруктів та овочів) were piling up (накопичувалися). And then the people came (А потім прийшли люди). Hesitantly at first (Спочатку нерішуче), almost shy (майже сором'язливо).

An old lady with a thin coat (Старенька пані в тонкому пальті), a young man (ein junger Mann) who had lost his job (молодий чоловік, який втратив роботу), a mother with her two children in hand (мати з двома дітьми за руку). Their eyes grew wide (Їхні очі розширилися) when they saw all the food (коли вони побачили стільки їжі). "Is this really all for us? (Це справді все для нас?)" the mother whispered (прошепотіла мати).

The first day was unforgettable. Crates full of yogurt, bread, fruits, and vegetables were piling up. And then the people came. Hesitantly at first, almost shy.

An old lady with a thin coat, a young man who had lost his job, a mother with her two children in hand. Their eyes grew wide when they saw all the food. "Is this really all for us?" the mother whispered.

were piling up – накопичувалися

came – прийшли, to come – приходити

Annemarie nodded (Аннемарі кивнула) with a warm smile (з теплою усмішкою). "Yes. Take what you need (Так. Беріть, що вам потрібно)." On that day (Того дня), they did not just distribute food (вони роздавали не лише продукти). They distributed (Вони роздавали) dignity, hope (гідність, надію), and the feeling (і відчуття) of not being forgotten (що про них не забули).

From then on (З того часу), the Hamburger Tafel grew every day (Гамбурзький Тафель зростав щодня). Annemarie became the "Mother of the Tafel (Аннемарі стала "Матір'ю Тафеля")."

Annemarie nodded with a warm smile. "Yes. Take what you need." On that day, they did not just distribute food. They distributed dignity, hope, and the feeling of not being forgotten.

From then on, the Hamburger Tafel grew every day. Annemarie became the "Mother of the Tafel."

warm smile – тепла посмішка

to need – потребувати

to not forget – не забувати

She was everywhere (Вона була всюди). You could see her (Її можна було побачити) at five in the morning (о п'ятій ранку), greeting truck drivers (як вона вітала водіїв вантажівок) who brought donations (що привозили пожертви). You could see her in the afternoon (Її можна було побачити вдень), lovingly ((як вона) з любов'ю) filling a bag for an old woman (наповнювала торбинку для старенької жінки) and giving her a kind word for the road (і казала їй добре слово на дорогу). You could see her in the evening (Її можна було побачити ввечері) in her small office (в її маленькому офісі), tirelessly on the phone (як вона невтомно телефонувала), trying to find new donors (щоб знайти нових донорів).

She was everywhere. You could see her at five in the morning, greeting truck drivers who brought donations. You could see her in the afternoon, lovingly filling a bag for an old woman and giving her a kind word for the road. You could see her in the evening in her small office, tirelessly on the phone, trying to find new donors.

everywhere – überall

morning – ранок

afternoon – після обіду /вдень

evening – вечір

Although she (Хоча вона (сама)) was already at retirement age (вже була пенсійного віку), she suddenly worked (вона раптом працювала) seven days a week (sieben Tage pro Woche), from early in the morning until late in the evening (з раннього ранку до пізнього вечора).

Her family remembers (Її родина згадує) this time as the time (цей час як час) when Ami blossomed (коли Амі розквітла) for the first time (вперше) after her husband's death (після смерті її чоловіка), because her life had meaning again (бо її життя набуло сенсу знову).

Although she was already at retirement age, she suddenly worked seven days a week, from early in the morning until late in the evening.

Her family remembers this time as the time when Ami blossomed for the first time after her husband's death, because her life had meaning again.

already – вже

fort he first time – вперше

had meaning – мало сенс

Ami was much loved (Амі дуже любили) by the volunteers  of the „Tafel“ (волонтери Тафеля), as she worked a lot (бо вона багато працювала) and took care of all people (піклувалася про всіх людей). She often said things like (Вона часто казала такі речі, як), “even if it's new to me (навіть якщо це для мене нове), I'll just give it a try (я просто спробую), despite my old age (незважаючи на мій похилий вік),” or “If you really want something (або "Якщо ти чогось справді хочеш) – you can do it (– ти зможеш це зробити).”

Ami was much loved by the volunteers of the „Tafel“, as she worked a lot and took care of all people. She often said things like, “even if it's new to me, I'll just give it a try, despite my old age,” or “If you really want something – you can do it.”

things – речі

give it a try – спробувати

despite – незважаючи на

can – могти

For over 20 years (Понад 20 років), Annemarie worked for the Tafel (Аннемарі працювала для Тафеля) and received many prizes (і отримала багато премій) and awards (та нагород), even the Federal Cross of Merit (навіть Федеральний хрест "За заслуги"). But the most important thing (Але найважливішим) for her were not the medals (для неї були не медалі). The most important thing was the shining eyes of a child (Найважливішим були сяючі очі дитини) who was happy about an apple (яка раділа яблуку). The grateful smile of a mother (Вдячна усмішка матері) who knew (яка знала) that her family would have enough to eat that day (що її родина того дня буде ситою).

For over 20 years, Annemarie worked for the Tafel and received many prizes and awards, even the Federal Cross of Merit. But the most important thing for her were not the medals. The most important thing was the shining eyes of a child who was happy about an apple. The grateful smile of a mother who knew that her family would have enough to eat that day.

the most important thing – найважливіше

knew – знала , to know – знати

would have – би

Even though Annemarie Dose (Хоча Аннемарі Дозе) died at the age of 87 (померла у віці 87 років), her life's work continues (справа її життя продовжується). Ami has shown us (Амі показала нам) that a single person with a simple idea (що одна людина з простою ідеєю) can change an entire city (може змінити ціле місто).

Today, the Hamburger Tafel (Сьогодні Гамбурзький Тафель) is a huge organization (– це величезна організація) with many delivery vans (з багатьма фургонами) and hundreds of volunteers (та сотнями волонтерів). It provides for thousands of people every week (Вона забезпечує тисячі людей щотижня). All of this began with one woman (Усе це почалося з однієї жінки) and a heart (та серця) that was as big (яке було таким великим) as the port of Hamburg (як гамбурзький порт).

Even though Annemarie Dose died at the age of 87, her life's work continues. Ami has shown us that a single person with a simple idea can change an entire city.

Today, the Hamburger Tafel is a huge organization with many delivery vans and hundreds of volunteers. It provides for thousands of people every week. All of this began with one woman and a heart that was as big as the port of Hamburg.

life’s work – справа життя

city – місто

delivery van – вантажівка для доставки, фургон