{"id":438,"date":"2018-11-21T09:02:50","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T09:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.usthi.ch\/?page_id=438"},"modified":"2026-04-21T09:05:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:05:48","slug":"who-we-are","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.usthi.ch\/en\/who-we-are\/","title":{"rendered":"Who we are"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

About us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Usthi is committed to supporting children and young adults in India and Nepal. The non-profit organisation aims to help young people build independent and dignified lives. To this end, Usthi supports socially and economically disadvantaged or discriminated children and young people, especially girls and young women. Our projects create better access to education and skills training, strengthen healthcare and promote protection and empowerment for vulnerable children and adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n We strive for a world in which children and young people can grow up with dignity and in a supportive environment.\n <\/div>\n
\n Vision of the Usthi Foundation\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Usthi Foundation, based in Rapperswil-Jona, consists of the Foundation Board and the Usthi team at the Head Office in Zurich. Usthi is politically and religiously independent and is subject to federal supervision. The organisation is financed entirely by donations from private individuals, foundations, associations and public and church institutions. The foundation carries the Zewo quality seal \u2013 the standard for Swiss charities \u2013 since 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our partner organisations in India and Nepal implement the daily activities in the Usthi projects with around 340 local employees. Usthi draws on 50 years of experience in working in India and many years of cooperation with local partners. This enables us to ensure good local roots and the sustainability of our projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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This is Usthi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Usthi Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Alessandra<\/h3>\n

Grosse<\/h3>\n

Executive Director <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Alessandra<\/h3>\n

Grosse<\/h3>\n Executive Director <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Alessandra Grosse is in charge of the operational management of the foundation since mid 2020. After a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology at the University of Basel, she completed a master\u2019s degree in environmental governance at the University of Freiburg i. Br. This enabled her to focus not only on environmental issues but also on the humanitarian sector. She gained initial experience with India in the context of her master\u2019s thesis, in which she investigated the participation of marginalised groups in the state of Karnataka. After an internship abroad for the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Indonesia, Grosse worked as a project coordinator for an organisation in Hamburg, Germany, and implemented development projects in India, Vietnam, Laos and China. In order to be a little closer to her home country, she looked for a new challenge in Switzerland and thus found her way to Usthi. The Graub\u00fcnden native from the Calanca Valley likes to spend her free time in the mountains and is a passionate climber indoors and on rock.<\/p>\n

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agrosse@usthi.ch<\/a><\/p>\n

+41 55 511 21 25<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Mirjam<\/h3>\n

Hirzel<\/h3>\n

Project Coordinator and Deputy Executive Director <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Mirjam<\/h3>\n

Hirzel<\/h3>\n Project Coordinator and Deputy Executive Director <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Mirjam Hirzel is in charge of the project monitoring since autumn 2020. After a Bachelor in International Development and Food Policy at University College in Cork (Ireland), Hirzel moved back to Switzerland, where she completed her Master in Comparative and International Studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. She gained professional experience in several assistant positions during her studies and was employed at the Chair of International Conflict Studies for four years after graduation. Within this framework she completed her doctoral studies based on field research on indigenous peoples in Central India. Grosse spent eight months in India, mainly in Mumbai, Delhi and Chhattisgarh, where she headed a small local research team and worked closely with Indian scientists. Her experience has prepared her well for her cooperation with the project partners, the professional monitoring of the activities in India and Nepal and the regular project visits. Besides work, Grosse enjoys spending time in the garden, traveling or at the dance studio.<\/p>\n

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mhirzel@usthi.ch<\/a><\/p>\n

+41 55 511 21 25<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Christian<\/h3>\n

R\u00fcbensaal<\/h3>\n

Fundraising and PR <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Christian<\/h3>\n

R\u00fcbensaal<\/h3>\n Fundraising and PR <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Christian R\u00fcbensaal joined Usthi in June 2019 and is in charge of fundraising and supports the team in administrative matters and public relations. R\u00fcbensaal is a trained IT specialist with many years of experience in administrational tasks. The desire for a meaningful job with a social orientation led him to Usthi, where he can use his know-how for the children and young people in the Usthi projects and gain first experience in the nonprofit sector. In his free time he likes to ride his motorbike or travel the world.<\/p>\n

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chruebensaal@usthi.ch<\/a><\/p>\n

+41 55 511 21 25<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Jonathan<\/h3>\n

Schuler<\/h3>\n

Finance Specialist <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Jonathan<\/h3>\n

Schuler<\/h3>\n Finance Specialist <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Jonathan Schuler joined Usthi in November 2023 and is responsible for finances and human resources. In this position he has now been able to fulfill his long-held career aspiration of working in a charitable foundation. Schuler studied social work at the University of Applied Sciences in St. Gallen and then worked as a school social worker. At the same time, he began a second Bachelor\u2019s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Economics and Politics at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). Since November 2018, he has been putting his acquired knowledge into practice as head of the office of the online magazine das Lamm, where he is responsible for finance and human resources. Schuler also has professional experience in project management and event planning and has completed further training as a project manager (CAPM). He is a keen sportsman and loves to let his energy out in various sports such as snowboarding, surfing and breakdancing.<\/p>\n

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jschuler@usthi.ch<\/a><\/p>\n

+41 55 511 21 25<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Lucia<\/h3>\n

Messer<\/h3>\n

PR and Fundraising <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Lucia<\/h3>\n

Messer<\/h3>\n PR and Fundraising <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Lucia Messer is responsible for Usthi’s public relations work since fall 2024 and supports the team in fundraising. During her Master’s degree in Changing Societies at the University of Basel, she was able to get to the bottom of pressing questions about social structures and visions of a fairer way of living together. Messer is looking forward to putting her thoughts into action, which she has so far implemented together with fellow campaigners through civil society engagement in the field of migration. She discovered her passion for public relations work at Caritas Switzerland, where she has gained valuable experience in communication and fundraising over the past few years. On summer evenings and weekends, her favorite place to be is on the balcony – with a good book or having exciting conversations with friends.<\/p>\n

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lmesser@usthi.ch<\/a><\/p>\n

+41 55 511 21 25<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Regular Volunteers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Kurt<\/h3>\n

B\u00fcrki<\/h3>\n

Founder and Consultant <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Kurt<\/h3>\n

B\u00fcrki<\/h3>\n Founder and Consultant <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Former Swissair pilot Kurt B\u00fcrki\u2019s social commitment began in 1976, during a visit to Kolkata. Together with his wife Edeltrud B\u00fcrki, he founded the Usthi Foundation. Having been actively involved in Usthi\u2019s commitment to education and healthcare in India and Nepal for more than 40 years, B\u00fcrki retired from the operative business at the end of 2017. However, he still is and always will be dedicated to Usthi. He is an honorary member and is available to the team as a consultant. In addition to Usthi and his family, B\u00fcrki\u2019s great love is music. He says that Usthi could never have sprung to life without it.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Donatella<\/h3>\n

Suter<\/h3>\n

Finance Officer and Private Donor Relations <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Donatella<\/h3>\n

Suter<\/h3>\n Finance Officer and Private Donor Relations <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Donatella Suter\u2019s involvement with Usthi goes back to an encounter in 1985, when she was an employee at a bank in Rapperswil. Intrigued by Usthi\u2019s work, she began to support the foundation. Suter has been volunteering for the Usthi Foundation for more than 30 years and is currently responsible for accounting and private donor relations. Usthi is very lucky to have her on board. She has travelled to the Usthi projects several times and the many inspiring encounters have convinced her again and again that the projects are sustainable and supporting Usthi is well worth her while. Suter has been working as an assistant to the financial director at Wetzikon Hospital for several years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Tim<\/h3>\n

Dean<\/h3>\n

Translator <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Tim<\/h3>\n

Dean<\/h3>\n Translator <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Tim Dean left University with an Honours Degree in modern languages. He lived for nearly two years in France before settling in the German part of Switzerland in 1980. Having spent 40 years in Industry (Sales, Marketing and Legal and General Management positions for multi-national companies), he started his Management Consultancy in 2010.\u00a0 He had regularly travelled to 17 of the world\u2019s poorest countries in Africa on business, and this left a lasting impression. On a recommendation from an Indian colleague, he was immediately attracted to the work and programmes of Usthi. Dean mainly supports Usthi with voluntary translations into English. His interests are: his wife of more than 40 years, golf, travel and music.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Board of Trustees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Felix<\/h3>\n

Senn<\/h3>\n

President of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Felix<\/h3>\n

Senn<\/h3>\n President of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Felix Senn has been President of the Board of Trustees of the Usthi Foundation since January 2020. Senn retired at the end of 2012 as a captain with Swiss. He works as a flight instructor and is a member of the community council of his home town of Maur. As a young pilot, he met Kurt B\u00fcrki almost 40 years ago in a Swissair cockpit. The then newly founded charity Usthi and the dedication with which Kurt and Edeltrud B\u00fcrki ran the organisation impressed Felix and his wife Vreni Senn so much that they have supported Usthi ever since. So when Senn was asked by Kurt B\u00fcrki in December 2019 to join the Usthi Board of Trustees, it was a matter of course for him to get involved. In his free time, he spends a lot of time with his grandchildren, enjoys flying in an old airplane or hiking with his wife in the Arosa mountains.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Urs<\/h3>\n

Jaisli<\/h3>\n

Deputy President of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Urs<\/h3>\n

Jaisli<\/h3>\n Deputy President of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Dr. Urs Jaisli joined the foundation in 2020 as a member of the Board of Trustees. Jaisli has worked for 30 years in the Roche Corporate Legal Department, particularly in the areas of compliance and sustainability. During these activities he also had contact with India and learned about the country\u2019s diverse cultures and fascination, but also about the enormous social challenges in India. He is convinced by the activities of the Usthi Foundation, which are geared towards sustainable progress, and this is the reason why Jaisli gladly decided to support the foundation with his knowledge and wide experience. Jaisli is convinced that the sustainable support of children and young people is extremely important; he is therefore also a member of the board of \u201cEl Refugio\u201d, a foundation that supports a children\u2019s charity in Honduras, and a proud father of two grown-up sons.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Claudia<\/h3>\n

Bodmer-Furrer<\/h3>\n

Member of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Claudia<\/h3>\n

Bodmer-Furrer<\/h3>\n Member of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Claudia Bodmer-Furrer has been a member of the Board of Trustees since January 2026. She completed her initial training at ETH Zurich as a qualified natural scientist and later obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the Zurich University of Teacher Education (PHZH). Bodmer-Furrer has worked as a project manager in various SMEs, most recently advising municipalities in the fields of demography and education.<\/p>\n

In addition, she has been politically active since 2010 and has held elected office since 2018. She currently serves as a municipal councillor in Maur and as a member of the Cantonal Council of Zurich. Bodmer-Furrer greatly values working on the interdisciplinary Board of Trustees and is pleased to contribute her experience in strategic and political matters.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fascinating fifty-year history of Usthi, its focus on sustainability, and the values it represents impress me greatly. That is why I am delighted to be involved with Usthi.\u201d<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Gabriela<\/h3>\n

B\u00fcrki<\/h3>\n

Member of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Gabriela<\/h3>\n

B\u00fcrki<\/h3>\n Member of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Gabriela B\u00fcrki, who grew up with Usthi as she is the daughter of the founding couple, joined the Board of Trustees in 1999. After the death of her mother Edeltrud, it was important to her that a woman from the founding family should continue to be involved with Usthi. The well-being of children and young people is very important to B\u00fcrki, who originally completed a degree in linguistics, be they in India or in her care at the day nursery where she works. She is also a passionate motorcyclist.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Ren\u00e9<\/h3>\n

Graber<\/h3>\n

Member of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Ren\u00e9<\/h3>\n

Graber<\/h3>\n Member of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Ren\u00e9 Graber is the expert for the motion picture in the Usthi Foundation Board. He is a video producer and has been travelling the world as a professional film maker for over 30 years. As a conceptionist and director for events, he accompanies a wide variety of businesses in Switzerland. In addition, he Graber working for a children\u2019s home in the canton of Solothurn for many years already. Within his commitment to socially disadvantaged children, he wrote the script for the film \u201c40 Years of Usthi\u201d in 2016 and, as a cameraman, was responsible for the video recordings of the various Usthi projects in India. Travelling is his passion, the cities of Europe his fascination, books open the world to him and his children mean the whole life to him.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Daniel<\/h3>\n

Kempter<\/h3>\n

Member of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Daniel<\/h3>\n

Kempter<\/h3>\n Member of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Daniel Kempter is a member of the Usthi Foundation Board and part of the Usthi film crew as a photographer and cameraman. Since 2012 he has been involved in volunteer projects for various NGOs in different regions of the world. He is an adventurer, explorer and owner of two small businesses. In the context of the movie \u201c40 Years of Usthi\u201d he contributed significantly to the creation of a documentary film and valuable footage showing how Usthi has developed over the last 40 years. Due to this intensive India experience, his heart was open to participate in the Usthi Foundation. Kempter’s passion is to take people and organisations on a sustainable and effective path. In addition, he practices sports every day and often travels around the world to learn from foreign cultures and interesting people. He loves the culinary arts as a hobby cook and bon vivant and is happy to capture impressive moments of life with his camera.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Matthias<\/h3>\n

Manz<\/h3>\n

Member of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Matthias<\/h3>\n

Manz<\/h3>\n Member of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Matthias Manz joined the Board of Trustees in 2020. After completing his education with a doctorate in history, Manz held the positions of State Archivist of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft, Political Secretary of the Socialist Group in the Swiss Parliament and Head of Strategy and Controlling in the Department of Economics and Internal Affairs of the Canton of Aargau. He also looks back on the implementation of international projects in Slovenia and Eritrea. What convinces him about Usthi is the clear focus on project responsibility on site. Manz hopes to be beneficial to Usthi with his experience in strategy and concept work as well as finance and controlling. His hobbies are reading, writing, hiking, watching \u201cSchwingen\u201d (Swiss wrestling) and playing \u201cJassen\u201d (a card game popular in Switzerland).<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Annette<\/h3>\n

Sch\u00e4r<\/h3>\n

Member of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Annette<\/h3>\n

Sch\u00e4r<\/h3>\n Member of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Annette Sch\u00e4r has been a member of the Board of Trustees at Usthi since January 2026. As a consultant with her own company, she advises municipalities, political bodies and associations on communication matters. Sch\u00e4r studied psychology at the University of Zurich, where she also completed her doctorate, but has worked in communications throughout her career. She gained extensive experience in journalism (including at NZZ<\/em> and Tages-Anzeiger<\/em>). Her professional career has also taken her into PR agencies, corporate communications at an international company, and the role of Head of Communications at a Swiss NGO. She is married and has two sons of school age.<\/p>\n

Sch\u00e4r is convinced of the importance of civic engagement and is herself actively involved in numerous organisations and associations. What appeals to her about Usthi is its entrepreneurial mindset and its long-term, sustainable commitment to education and equal opportunities.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Christa<\/h3>\n

Vollrath<\/h3>\n

Member of the Board <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n

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Christa<\/h3>\n

Vollrath<\/h3>\n Member of the Board <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Dr. Christa Vollrath is a member of the Usthi Foundation Board since 2021. As an ophthalmologist, she brings her knowledge and experience in medical matters to Usthi. The avoidable blindness of the poorer population, for example, is also a major issue in India. On her trekking trips in the north of India, Christa experienced how infinite luxury and extreme poverty live side by side. This experience has shaped her and she sees it as her opportunity and responsibility to work with Usthi to improve the living conditions of young people. Therefore, Vollrath accepted the invitation to join the Foundation Board with joy and out of conviction.<\/p>\n

Vollrath enjoys spending her free time with her family and doing sports outdoor: hiking, cycling, skiing and sailing. Her violin also gives her a wonderful balance to her busy everyday life.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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How It Started \u2013 Usthi’s Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

HEALTHY AND EDUCATED. SINCE 1976.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As a pilot, Kurt B\u00fcrki had already traveled to many places around the world before he and his wife Edeltrud B\u00fcrki made a private trip to Kolkata in 1976. There, the plight of the children touched them like never before. The couple got talking to people in Kolkata and were soon convinced – this is where we want to make a contribution. The B\u00fcrkis’ inexhaustible commitment, which continues to this day, began with a street kitchen for children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n From the very beginning of our work, we have been convinced that our partners and beneficiaries are the true experts.\n <\/div>\n
\n Kurt B\u00fcrki, Founder of Usthi, about the beginnings of Kurt and Edeltrud B\u00fcrki\u2019s commitment\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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1976 \u2013 How it all started<\/p>\n

Edeltrud and Kurt B\u00fcrki travel to Kolkata for the first time and decide to support children and young people in India. Their first project is a street kitchen in Kolkata.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1977 – Opening of the first school<\/p>\n

Edeltrud and Kurt B\u00fcrki open the first school in the village of Usthi, south of Kolkata. What begins with a mud hut, will grow into a campus consisting of a school, a farm and a small market.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1984 – Opening of the Tribal Health Centre<\/p>\n

Usthi assumes responsibility for the Tribal Health Centre in the remote village of Somagiri (Keonjhar, Odisha) and establishes a regional healthcare programme. From 1991 onwards, young women are trained as health workers, who are then deployed in surrounding villages.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1985 – Now it’s official!<\/p>\n

Given the financial growth of their commitment, Kurt and Edeltrud B\u00fcrki decide to set up a foundation under Swiss law. It is registered under the name of Usthi Foundation.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1987 – Opening of the Ananda School<\/p>\n

Due to great support, Usthi is able to open a second school in Hudarait, 20 km east of Kolkata.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1992 – A new home for girls in Kolkata<\/p>\n

In Kolkata, Usthi establishes a residential home for girls, providing them with a place to live. Following the relocation of the home to a new building on Bangur Avenue, the girls were henceforth known as the \u201cBangur Girls.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1992 – Opening of the Penthakata School<\/p>\n

Usthi opens a school in the Penthakata settlement, an informal fishing village on the outskirts of the coastal city of Puri; it is the first school for the children of the settlement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1996 – Healthcare for Dakshindari<\/p>\n

Usthi takes over responsibility for a children\u2019s hospital in the Dakshindari district of Kolkata, providing the local population with access to essential medical services.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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1998 – Great loss for Usthi<\/p>\n

After years of untiring dedication to the projects in India, Edeltrud B\u00fcrki dies at the age of 60. As Kurt B\u00fcrki says, she was the heart of the Usthi Foundation.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2001 – Opening of the Usthi Hospital<\/p>\n

In 2001, the Usthi Hospital in Bhubaneswar is opened. Since then, Usthi\u2019s local partner has been operating the hospital as a social enterprise with a profit orientation; part of the profits is used to locally finance Usthi\u2019s projects.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2005 – Emergency releif after the Tsunami in Tamil Nadu<\/p>\n

Following the devastating tsunami in Tamil Nadu, Usthi provided emergency relief to more than 35,000 survivors. In addition, Usthi had 75 boats built locally for fishing villages along the coast of the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2006 – Establishment of Thaddeus School<\/p>\n

Thanks to the generous support of private donor Thaddeus Getzmann, a further school is established in the village of Bhastara in the greater Kolkata area.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2007 – Start of a successful partnership in Hyderabad<\/p>\n

Together with a new project partner, children\u2019s homes, school sponsorships, tuition centres and a skills training programme are established in Hyderabad over the years.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2012 – Support for the little ones<\/p>\n

In the remote villages of the Keonjhar district, the Tribal Health Centre and health network are complemented by an early childhood development programme. The project combines the promotion of health and education.\r\n<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2012 – Kurt B\u00fcrki steps down<\/p>\n

After almost 40 years of tireless commitment, Kurt B\u00fcrki steps down from the foundation board. To this day, he continues to support Usthi as an external advisor.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2013 – Increased support for young women<\/p>\n

In women’s homes in Hyderabad, Usthi creates safe spaces for young women. From 2014 onwards, a complementary prevention campaign raises public awareness of issues such as human trafficking, exploitation and violence against women.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2015 – Emergency relief after earthquake in Nepal<\/p>\n

When two devastating earthquakes strike Nepal, Usthi supports relief efforts in collaboration with local partners, assisting both in emergency response and in the reconstruction phase.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2019 – A new project in Dahding, Nepal<\/p>\n

In collaboration with a new partner organisation, Usthi develops an education project in the rural Dhading district of Nepal. The initiative supports public schools and provides access to quality education.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2020 – Challenging times due to Covid-19<\/p>\n

The Covid-19 pandemic brings everyday life in the projects to a standstill for months and deprives countless people in India of their livelihoods. Usthi supports families at project sites with food aid and educational assistance.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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2024 – Waste Management in Penthakata<\/p>\n

In collaboration with EAWAG, a project is being launched to expand waste management in the Penthakata settlement. The topic is to be integrated into the curriculum and further training for teachers is to be organized to bring about lasting change.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n HOW WE WORK<\/span>\n

Usthi’s Principles<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n WHAT WE DO<\/span>\n

Our Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

About us Usthi is committed to supporting children and young adults in India and Nepal. The non-profit organisation aims to help young people build independent and dignified lives. To this end, Usthi supports socially and economically disadvantaged or discriminated children and young people, especially girls and young women. Our projects create better access to education […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4470,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-438","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWho we are - Stiftung Usthi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Usthi's goal is to support young people in building a self-determined and dignified life. 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