Ilsemarie Cottier
It´s never too late to realize one´s dreams! Since my studies of applied social sciences at the University of Fribourg I wanted to engage myself in development assistance in South America or Africa. But after having worked a few years for the International Social service in Geneva I founded a family and as a mother of four children it became difficult to make that vision happen.
Yet, in 2006, after my children had grown up and I was freed from professional duties, I learned about "Kids-of-Africa" in 2006 through "Swisscontact". Not much later I was very happy to actively participate in the development of our orphanage through repeated engagements of several months. As a grandmother of seven children I quickly became the "Dschadscha" (Granny) for children and adults. And I really love each one of them. It fulfils me with great satisfaction that I can bring into play all I learnt in my life as a mother, welfare worker, director of Caritas Fribourg and guest mother of international exchange students, be it in the fields of education, kitchen and household work, human resources management, or administration.
I appreciate the everyday challenges consisting in finding creative solutions to all kinds of problems, in creating and maintaining good relationships, bringing ideas on how to promote the development and education of the children, and dealing with a different culture. But before all I love the kids and find myself so much enriched by them. It is so exciting to follow their development!
What is supporting me? Above all the confidence of children and adults, their cheerfulness, and feeling my life being fulfilled in exchanging love, encouragement and appreciation.