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.

"I am convinced that everybody can contribute something useful to the world. That is why I am a board member of Hope is life. My main job is project manager of a commercial enterprise. I train apprentices and work as a teacher at a vocational business school and at a course centre. For more than one year, I  have been studying supervision technology and communications (transaction analysis), and I can use this knowledge for our projects...

...At the end of December 2014, I visited the places where our projects were established and joined meetings to discuss strategic planning and goal definitions of our work for the year 2015. By doing so, I got a clear overview of the projects and the ongoing work. I am convinced of the necessity and the concept of our work.

Anuma and Param of the Hope is life India foundation council complete our small Swiss team with their knowhow and humanity. Both of them grew up around Odisha and bring along the whole range of cultural knowledge. Time and time again, I am amazed by the warmth and openness of the people and by the wonderful personal encounters.

I consider the work of Hope is life very useful. The experiences we have made in India so far can be used successfully at the new places where we intend to establish our projects."