Andrea Rubin (chairwoman of the board and project manager)

I have been working with people in difficult life situations for more than 16 years.

I gained my work experience as a manager of an institution for people suffering from mental illness and addiction and by taking care of them. I also engaged in projects for development aid and humanitarian aid, which allowed me to gain further knowledge. As a coach of non-violent communication and as an educator of adults, I teach employees in institutions as well as private persons... read more

Jonas von Selve (board member)

You should support good ideas. And you should support good friends with good ideas. That is why I commit myself to friends and other people so that they can realise their good ideas. To help an idea become a project is amazing. It is a great honour, but also a challenge for me to support friends and other people... read more

Thomas Gentsch (former board member †)

Thomas Gentsch died on 17 April 2016.

With a heavy heart, we say farewell to our dear friend and co-founder of Hope is life, Thomas Gentsch. We are deeply saddened by his death and grateful at the same time - for his valuable commitment and for the time we got to spend with him... read more

Christian Büchi (accounting and further engagement)

Hope is life makes a difference – directly. There is a lot of personal commitment in it, and I am glad to support this organisation with my small contribution.
My main job is manager of a gastronomy business, and I see Hope is life as a good balance to my very economy-based everyday work. I think that our privileged life here obligates us to give something away and to support people who are less well-off... read more 

Anouk Hagemann (translator)

In June 2016, I received my translation diploma at the School of Applied Linguistics (SAL) in Zurich. I translate from English into German and vice versa. The voluntary work for Hope is life gives me the opportunity to continuously improve my skills as well as to support an organisation that helps people in need... read more

Mirjam Schenk (administration)

During my gap year, I spent three fantastic months in Nepal in the spring of 2019. For a little over two months, I worked for Hope is life Nepal, where I gave flute and guitar lessons. Also, we started a project to make it possible for the local people to work for a regular salary. They now make glass coasters out of garbage that we sell in Switzerland. I soon knew that I wanted to work for Hope is life in the long term... read more

Martin Nyfenegger (administration)

I have known Andrea and some of the team members for decades. The work that Andrea does with the local teams is impressive to me. That is why I decided to contribute from Switzerland. It is fascinating how much can be achieved with relatively little means when those involved work voluntarily and, as opposed to big NGOs, no huge marketing campaigns and fundraising agencies need to ... read more

Jette Hunsperger (administration)

When someone approaches me in the pedestrian zone with a clipboard in their hands waving enthusiastically, I always look at my imaginary watch and walk away, staring straight ahead. Uncomfortable. These fundraisers always manage to make me feel bad: what good am I doing? ...

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