“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. For those who love with heart and soul, there is no such thing as separation.”
– Rumi
Dear donors,
I sincerely hope this letter finds you well.
My special thanks go to all those who reached out to us following the episode of Gredig direkt broadcast on SRF on April 17, in which I had the honour of being a guest. Your many kind and encouraging messages moved me deeply and once again showed me how strong your support truly is.
As you know, I have handed over the leadership of our centre. At the moment, I feel somewhat “mixed inside” – as we say in Africa when many emotions are present at once. I think the German word melancholisch describes it best.
Yes, I feel a little sadness, a little joy, a bit of disorientation – but above all, I feel immense gratitude for the life I’ve been given over the past 26 years.
It was often far from easy – and still isn’t, at times – but I know with certainty: a simple life would never have made me truly happy.
In this quarterly letter, I would like to take a moment to simply say: thank you.
So many people have helped make our beautiful project a reality.
Your support, dear donors, has been essential. None of this would have been possible without you. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU – again and again.
A very special thanks goes to my husband Aziz, who has stood by my side for 53 years, and to our three children. Their support and their willingness to make sacrifices are beyond measure. Without them, I could never have brought this project to life. My gratitude to my family is boundless – and it will remain so for the rest of my life.
I also wish to thank my longtime friend Marie-Odile, who accompanied me on site for more than 20 years.
And to our staff – many of whom have been with us from the very beginning – as well as to the many dedicated volunteers, I offer my deepest thanks.
A heartfelt thank you also goes to our local President, Dr. Henri Chenal, who has always stood by us faithfully and reliably – and continues to do so.
Dear Henri, I thank you with all my heart.
Last but not least, my thanks also go to the members of the Board of the Lotti Latrous Foundation, and especially to our Head Office management. The value of their work cannot be overstated. Thank you for your loyalty and deep commitment.
And now, a chapter comes to a close.
My chapter.
Or perhaps... not entirely. Because Aziz and I will continue to travel occasionally to Bassam and spend time in our small, simple hut in Ayobâ, our beloved village, which we were able to build for our elderly residents.
So maybe it’s more accurate to say: as long as there is breath in me, the final page of this book will not be turned – not until, one day (hopefully still far off), it is time for a final farewell.
But let’s return to the present:
We had a wonderful farewell celebration. Everyone was there – from the youngest to the oldest. We danced, we cried, we laughed. It was a simple celebration, just as we love it: full of love and friendship.
Lotti hands over the leadership to her two successors, Barbara and Llum.
Mr. Abass – a local employee who is also retiring along with Lotti and Marie Odile – addresses a few words to everyone present.
The entire centres family, including all staff and residents.
As part of the celebration, I officially passed the torch to my successor, Barbara, and her assistant, Llum.
I asked both of them to meet every person in our centre – and all who seek help – with respect, compassion, and humility. I am deeply convinced that they are capable of carrying on this work in the same spirit that has defined it for so many years.
Since my departure, Barbara and I have been in close contact – something I am very grateful for. I asked her to introduce herself to you briefly – not with a standard résumé, but with a few personal thoughts about her new role.
Here are her words:
Barbara writes:
“What touched me most from the very beginning was the atmosphere – this sense of peace that surrounds you the moment you enter the centre – and the intensity of the emotions here.
It moved me immediately. I was, and still am, deeply impressed, and I’ve shed more than a few tears of emotion since arriving.
Yes, I feel I’m in the right place – both professionally and personally.
When I applied in June 2024 to take on the leadership of the Centre of Hope, I initially had doubts as to whether I was up to the task.
But as the application process progressed, the project, its philosophy, and the role I was meant to take on became increasingly familiar to me. After the trial week, I knew:
I want to live here. I want to work here. I want to carry this work forward – fully aware of the immense responsibility it brings.
I know I can never replace Maman Lotti, as she is lovingly called here.
But I am ready to ensure continuity – for the staff, the children and youth, our patients, and our elderly.
And I can only take on this responsibility thanks to the support of Lotti, Aziz, Llum, and the entire team.
I have felt this support from the very first day, and it is what sustains me.”
As you can see: the responsibility is in good hands.
You’ll be hearing more from Barbara in the future – she will write many of the upcoming quarterly letters. She is on site and lives the daily reality. But every time I return to Bassam, I’ll be in touch with you as well.
To conclude, I would simply like to say:
I have received so much love in my life, so much support, so much kindness.
I am filled with joy and gratitude.
The light that illuminates my soul will never leave me – it is the light of the great grace that life has granted me.
Dear donors, I thank you. Thank you for your help.
Without you and your trust, none of this would have been possible.
May God bless you.
With warmest regards,
Lotti Latrous