History
It will
surprise many to learn that scholarships are not a new idea for the
International School of Geneva. In 1929 Mr. & Mrs. Forstall of
Chicago generously established 15 four-year scholarships for students
all over the world. Alas, the Wall Street crash intervened and some of
the scholarships were cut short, but 12 were nonetheless able to
complete their studies.
I knew one of
those 12, the remarkable Vicky Stereva, who came to Geneva from
Bulgaria in 1929 and stayed until 1933. She so loved the school that
she later became its volunteer archivist and when she died in 1997 she
left a generous legacy to establish the Stereva Foundation to maintain
the archive.
It therefore
seemed appropriate that on the occasion of the school’s 75th birthday
in 1999, the Friends of the International School should look again at
the possibility of creating scholarships. The school had always
accepted an obligation towards others who were less well off and
working in countries far less stable and supportive than Switzerland
and I was proud that, during my time as director general, we were
working on active projects in Chile, Iraq, Nepal and Tanzania.
But one important
factor had changed. For sound economic reasons we had gradually closed
the school’s boarding houses during the 1990’s so we no longer had the
facilities to accommodate students from overseas. The answer was
obvious and probably more appropriate: to provide the scholarship for
the student to receive a good education in his or her own country.
It is now
recognized that having an education is not enough; it is having a good
education that matters. I am very encouraged by the way the Friends of
the International School are turning the benefits of living and working
in Geneva into practical support for young students around the world
who deserve the same opportunities wherever they live.
George Walker,
Director General
1991-1999
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About us
The Friends of the International School of Geneva -
FOTIS
Who are we?
FOTIS is a charitable association set up under Swiss law in 1997.
What do we do?
FOTIS supports secondary schooling of children in developing countries,
who
would otherwise be unable to continue their studies.
How do we identify
students?
Working with a network of professional colleagues, we identify children
in need. Locally placed mentors follow the children's progress and pay
the funds directly to the schools and buy any books or other supplies
that may be necessary.
What kind of children do
we help?
We receive requests for support from and on behalf of children from a
wide range of backgrounds - the unifying factor is that would otherwise
have to stop their studies because of lack of funding. We believe that
access to education is critical and we aim to keep the door open for as
many young people as possible.
What kind of commitment do
we have to our students?
Once we take on a child, we pay his or her fees until graduation from
secondary school.
How did FOTIS start?
For many years, the International School of Geneva has run a small
bursary programme to help needy students in times of crisis. These
short-term bursaries have been funded by the school and by generous
donors. Building on the success of this venture, about 10 years ago
these were expanded to include young people from developing countries.
Out of this grew the independent association now known as the Friends
of the International School of Geneva (FOTIS)
Paying school fees of
children who would otherwise not get any education.
How is FOTIS linked to the
International School?
Born of the humanitarian ethos of the International School of Geneva,
FOTIS continues to embrace its vision of helping children develop
intellectually, socially and culturally to the highest level of their
potential.
Do we have any expenses
here?
No. Every franc raised for FOTIS students is spent on the
students. Everyone who works for FOTIS does so on a voluntary basis.
All our funds are spent on schooling and incidental expenses.
What are our current and
future needs?
Much, much more money! Uneducated children are virtually guaranteed to
grow up to be impoverished adults. In most developing countries,
education is rarely entirely free. The most effective way to help these
countries develop their full potential is to help their youth help
themselves out of poverty. As one of our students, Nelson Frank, says -
I'm studying with all my effort in order to achieve my success to be
the one among the educated people in order to solve my own problems, my
community problems and my nation problems and also I will be able to
run away from ignorance as well as poverty. The handful we can support
at any one time is clearly only a start. Our ambitious plans for our
future development will allow us to help these students get the tools
they need to succeed.
Please help us to help them!
FOTIS is an independent Swiss association operated separately from the
Foundation of the International School of Geneva. Please use the
Bulletin de Versement to make a
contribution. Cheques should be made out to:
Association des Amis de
l'Ecole Internationale de Genève
UBS-Geneva
Account 240-829820.00A
IBAN CH68 0024 0240 8298 2000 A
BIC UBSWCHCHZH80A
Or download a pledge form here.
NB FOTIS is a registered
tax-exempt charity.
FOTIS is supported entirely by contributions. Therefore, we are limited
only by the resources available. We are grateful to all our supporters
- current and past. Please help us carry on our vital work.
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Fotis Board
FOTIS COMMITTEE
Asha Singh Williams - President
Dorothy Latsis - Vice-President
Francois Collini - Treasurer
Sue Anthony - Secretary
Emma Antonatos
Hélène Durand-Ballivet
MEMBERS AT LARGE
John Aram
Sam Jarrell
Atalanti Moquette
Michaelene Stack
Jennifer Stone
CONCERT COMMITTEE
Emma Antonatos
Sue Anthony
John Aram
Atiya Athar
Pauline Callaghan
Pamela Gromadzki
Vivian Hakkak
Silvana Hollstein
Liana Koch
Dorothy Latsis
Veronique Lenz
Barbara Levy
Eva Maria Martin
Atalanti Moquette
Rea Pournaras
Kirsten Reinicke
Kim Riddell
Asha Singh Williams
Gisele Sloan
Roberta Stabile
Michaelene Stack
Maureen Steele
Jennifer Stone
Margriet Van der Haagen
Sonia Woolcock
Click here to
download our
statutes.
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