"To Help is to Beautify Our Spiritual Essence"

Fondation Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour Swiss Philanthropic Foundation

I'm counting on you !

Helping Today

Supporting those in greatest need

Helping, giving, and supporting are important human actions that demonstrate solidarity towards people in distress.

These actions can have a significant impact on our fellow humans and provide them with hope and comfort. It's important to remember that even small actions can have a positive impact on others' lives.

Being human means having the capacity for empathy and compassion towards disadvantaged individuals and seeking ways to help and support them in their daily lives.

Access to clean water

Access to clean water is a fundamental human right recognized by the United Nations.

However, many people around the world do not have access to a reliable source of clean water.

Efforts must be made to ensure that everyone has access to safe and sufficient clean water to meet their daily needs.

Access to food

Access to food is a vital need for all, but many people around the world do not have access to sufficient and nutritious food.

The reasons for this include poverty, armed conflict, natural disasters, climate change, and discrimination.

The foundation will work with other institutions to provide food to those in need, as well as solutions for food self-sufficiency.

Access to healthcare

It is unfortunate to note that healthcare in many countries is in a catastrophic state. Healthcare systems in these countries are often underfunded, ill-equipped, and lacking in medicines as well as qualified personnel.

This has serious consequences for the health and well-being of local populations.

We must work together with non-governmental organizations to improve the health and well-being of these individuals.

Decent housing

Many poor countries face significant challenges in housing, including unhealthy, overcrowded, or unsafe living conditions.

The most affected individuals are the poorest and most vulnerable, such as homeless people, refugees, displaced persons, and those living in slums.

We must do everything possible to ensure that all human beings have access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing.

Education and training

The precarious situation of education in poor countries is a major challenge for the future of these countries and for improving the quality of life of their inhabitants.

The consequences of this situation are serious, as education is essential for economic, social, and cultural development.

The lack of education can lead to poverty, food insecurity, disease, and political instability. We must do everything possible to change this.

ecosystem

Preserving biodiversity and ecosystems is a global emergency. Unfortunately, they are currently under severe threat.

We risk massive species extinctions, the loss of sources of food and medicine, and even more devastating environmental impacts.

It is essential that we take consistent and concerted action to protect biodiversity and ecosystems. The foundation must intervene on this issue.

The founders

Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour

"Perseverance and commitment in the pursuit of success and collective well-being: the inspiring life journey of Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour"

The founders An atypical couple

The life journey of Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour has been marked by challenges and an unrelenting struggle to achieve their goals. Their incredible determination to overcome the obstacles that stood in their way has allowed them to fulfill their dreams and become role models for others.

Persevering despite the difficulties encountered is an essential quality for success in life. It is important to keep in mind one's goals and to demonstrate determination and resilience in the face of obstacles that arise.

Le parcours de Philippe et Elisabeth Dufour nous montre également l'importance de s'engager dans ce qui nous tient à cœur et de poursuivre nos passions avec ardeur. Leur désir de faire une différence positive dans le monde les pousse à se battre pour leur cause et à réaliser leur vision.

Their life journey is a source of inspiration for all those seeking to achieve their goals and make a difference in the world. Their determination, perseverance, and commitment to philanthropy are qualities that can guide us on the path to personal and collective success and well-being.

Our First Contribution A unique Simplicity

We are driven by a strong desire to personally involve ourselves in the management of our Foundation and contribute to its funding. With this in mind, we have decided to make available a unique Simplicity timepiece to the foundation, with the aim of providing the necessary "impetus" for it to commence its actions in favor of the most vulnerable individuals.

This initiative demonstrates our unwavering commitment to this noble endeavor, and we suggest that it inspires others to join us in this passionate adventure. Indeed, we are convinced that many people share our values and are ready to support us in this honorable cause.

Consequently, we are open to all proposals that could assist us in achieving our goals. We have our loyal customers and watchmaking friends in mind, who could provide valuable aid in this endeavor. We are convinced that, together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need of our help.

We are eagerly anticipating the fruits of our commitment and we look forward to working closely with all those who share our vision. The auction of the unique Simplicity timepiece will be a significant milestone in our journey, and we are confident that this event will be a true success. We hope that it will inspire others to support us and join us in this humanitarian adventure.

Other contributions Artistic

Areas of focus of the foundation

Activities

The goals of the Foundation

01. Helping people in emergency and disadvantaged situations

Les personnes en situation d’urgence et défavorisées peuvent faire référence à différentes populations, telles que les personnes sans abri, les réfugiés, les victimes de violence domestique, les personnes atteintes de maladies chroniques, les personnes âgées, les enfants et les familles vivant dans la misère.

 

Ces populations peuvent être confrontées à une multitude de problèmes tels que la faim, le manque d’abri, l’insécurité alimentaire, le manque d’accès aux soins de santé, le manque d’opportunités d’emploi et d’éducation, et l’exposition à des risques environnementaux et sanitaires augmente.

 

La fondation vise à aider les personnes en situation d’urgence et défavorisées, en fournissant des services tels que des abris d’urgence, des services alimentaires, des soins de santé, des conseils et de l’aide juridique.

 

It will do so through realistic, concrete, and structured projects that are sustainable and fully transparent.

02. Participation in the construction and renovation of hospital structures, equipment, and materials

Le manque de structures, d’équipements et de matériels de soins hospitaliers est un problème majeur dans de nombreux pays sous-développés. Ces pays manquent souvent de ressources financières et de soutien gouvernemental pour construire et entretenir des hôpitaux modernes, équipés de manière adéquate pour répondre aux besoins des patients.

 

Les conséquences de cette pénurie de ressources sont souvent graves et peuvent inclure un manque d’accès aux soins de santé, une qualité de soins médiocre, une augmentation de la propagation de maladies infectieuses et un taux de mortalité élevée. Les hôpitaux peuvent être surpeuplés et les patients peuvent manquer de lits, de médicaments, d’équipements de diagnostic et de traitement, ainsi que de personnel qualifié pour fournir des soins.

 

La construction et la rénovation de structures, d’équipements et de matériels de soins hospitaliers sont des processus complexes qui entraînent une planification minutieuse, des compétences techniques et une coordination efficace.

 

To ensure optimal results, it is important for the foundation to work in close collaboration with competent teams from the outset of the project and to communicate regularly throughout the process. Goals must be clearly defined and deadlines met to ensure that projects are completed within the allotted time and budget constraints.

03. Participation in environmental projects to preserve ecosystems

La sauvegarde des écosystèmes est en effet très importante et même vitale pour la survie de l’ensemble des êtres vivants, y compris les êtres humains. Les écosystèmes sont des systèmes complexes et interconnectés où les différentes espèces végétales et animales, ainsi que les éléments non vivants tels que l’air, l’eau et les sols, interagissent entre eux pour maintenir l’équilibre et la stabilité.

 

Les systèmes fournissent une grande variété de services écologiques, tels que la purification de l’air et de l’eau, la régulation du climat, la pollinisation, la régulation des maladies, la production alimentaire et la fourniture de matières premières. Sans ces services, notre survie serait menacée.

 

Cependant, les écosystèmes sont menacés par l’activité humaine, tels que la déforestation, la surexploitation des ressources naturelles, la pollution et le changement climatique. Il est donc crucial de prendre des mesures pour protéger et restaurer les écosystèmes existants, afin de préserver la biodiversité et les services écologiques dont dépendent les êtres vivants.

 

This requires collective action by all stakeholders, and the foundation has a role to play in this, as we cannot aim to help people in emergency situations while ignoring this major issue.

04. Supporting the education and learning of people in precarious situations

Le problème de l’enseignement dans les pays pauvres est alarmant et il y a de grands besoins à combler. Dans de nombreux pays en développement, l’accès à une éducation de qualité est limité, surtout pour les enfants et les femmes issus de milieux défavorisés. Les infrastructures scolaires sont souvent insuffisantes et les enseignants sont sous-qualifiés et mal rémunérés. Les taux d’abandon scolaire sont élevés, en particulier chez les filles, les femmes et les enfants des zones rurales.

 

Ce manque d’éducation a de graves conséquences pour les individus et pour les pays dans leur ensemble. Les personnes ayant peu d’éducation ont moins de chances de trouver un emploi décent et bien rémunéré, ce qui peut les maintenir dans la pauvreté.

 

Il est également important de s’attaquer aux obstacles culturels et sociaux qui empêchent les filles et les enfants des zones rurales d’aller à l’école. Les campagnes de sensibilisation et les programmes de soutien pour les familles peuvent aider à surmonter ces obstacles.

 

L’éducation est un droit fondamental de l’homme et un investissement crucial pour l’avenir de tous les pays.

 

To help solve this problem, the foundation will conduct a series of projects to promote access to knowledge but also promote learning, which is an important pathway to enter the workforce.

05. To support artisans who pass on their art to younger generations

La transmission du savoir-faire artisanal est très importante. Les artisans présentent des compétences et des connaissances uniques qui ont été transmises de génération en génération, souvent sur une base orale. Ces compétences sont souvent le fruit d’une pratique et d’une expérience acquises au fil du temps.

 

Elle est importante pour plusieurs raisons. Tout d’abord, cela permet de conserver des traditions et des techniques qui ont été développées au fil des siècles. Ces techniques peuvent être en voie de disparition si elles ne sont pas transmises aux générations futures.

 

En outre, la transmission du savoir-faire artisanal peut être bénéfique pour l’économie locale. Les artisans locaux peuvent créer des produits uniques et de haute qualité qui attirent les touristes et stimulent l’économie locale. Cela peut également contribuer à la préservation des savoir-faire traditionnels et à la promotion des cultures locales.

 

Furthermore, it is an excellent way to strengthen community ties. Local artisans can work together to share their knowledge and skills, thereby building a strong and united community.

 

For all these reasons, the foundation will establish programs to promote and support the transmission of artisanal skills.

06. Participating in the preservation of the material and immaterial heritage of artisanal art

La sauvegarde du patrimoine matériel et immatériel de l’Art artisanal est très importante pour préserver le patrimoine culturel et historique. L’Art artisanal est un savoir-faire traditionnel qui a été transmis de génération en génération et qui est souvent associé à une culture ou à une région particulière.

La sauvegarde du patrimoine matériel de l’Art artisanal peut inclure la préservation des bâtiments historiques, des monuments, des sculptures, des objets d’art, des meubles, des textiles et d’autres artefacts. Cela peut impliquer des efforts pour restaurer et conserver ces objets, ainsi que pour les exposer au public dans des musées, des galeries et d’autres lieux culturels.

Quant à la sauvegarde du patrimoine immatériel de l’Art artisanal, elle vise à protéger les pratiques, les traditions et les savoir-faire liés à cet Art. Cela peut inclure la documentation des techniques et des méthodes de fabrication, la préservation des chants, des danses et des célébrations qui sont associées à cet Art, ainsi que la transmission de ces connaissances aux générations futures.

La sauvegarde du patrimoine matériel et immatériel de l’Art artisanal est essentielle pour préserver notre héritage culturel et garantir que les générations futures pourront profiter de ces trésors uniques.

The founders and board of the foundation are highly sensitive to this issue and will implement solutions to preserve this universal heritage.

The Foundation Board

The members of the foundation's board of directors

Philippe Dufour

Co-founder

Danièla Dufour

Trésorière

Elisabeth Dufour

Co-Fondatrice et Présidente

Maricela Lancoud

Vice-Présidente

Philippe Dufour

Co-founder

Danièla Dufour

Trésorière

Elisabeth Dufour

Co-Fondatrice et Présidente

Maricela Lancoud

Vice-Présidente

Philippe Dufour

Co-founder

Elisabeth Dufour

Co-Fondatrice et Présidente

Maricela Lancoud

Vice-Présidente

Danièla Dufour

Trésorière

An international team

Respect, commitment honesty & solidarity

The members of the foundation board share common values that foster a harmonious and effective collaboration. Respect is a fundamental value that allows for the recognition of each person's dignity and differences.

Commitment demonstrates that each member is motivated and determined to contribute to the success of the foundation's mission. Honesty, on the other hand, is a value that encourages integrity and honesty in all actions undertaken by the foundation. Finally, solidarity helps to strengthen the team's cohesion and to work together towards a common goal.

These values must be supported by a culture of transparency and trust, which allows the foundation board members to operate in a constructive manner.

By working together in an environment that promotes these values, the foundation board develops positive synergies that lead to the success of the foundation's mission and to a lasting impact on society.

Support from the Foundation

What we do

Projects of the Foundation

TRAINING Adults

TISANDO FUTURO Peru

Peruvian Association of Women Straw Hat Weavers "Ñari Walac"

Supporting the training of 50 women to enable them to make a living from their work.

Progress

10%

EMERGENCY Children

Orissa Partage India

Private Swiss organization supporting the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul

The sisters welcome children, especially young girls, from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds where begging, leprosy, and tuberculosis are common.

Progress

10%

EMERGENCY Children

Ongoing project under evaluation

Lebanon Project Lebanon

Support for Children and Orphans in Lebanon

Lebanon has faced numerous economic and social challenges in recent years, which have had a significant impact on the lives of many children and orphans in the country.

Progress

0%
TISANDO FUTURO

DEVELOPMENT Entire Population

Ongoing project under evaluation

Madagascar Project Madagascar

Participation in sustainable and responsible development

Poverty in Madagascar is a major issue. Several factors contribute to this poverty, including the predominantly agricultural economy, environmental challenges, and underdeveloped healthcare and education systems.

Progress

0%

Healthcare Valley population

Ongoing project under evaluation

Ongoing project under evaluation

Switzerland project Switzerland

The medical isolation of the Valley: A challenge for vulnerable populations

The isolation of the Vallée de Joux from advanced medical infrastructure in the rest of the canton poses major challenges for elderly individuals, the sick, or those without means of transportation.

Progress

0%

BIODIVERSITY Everyone

Ongoing project under evaluation

Indonesia Project Indonesia

For the preservation of biodiversity in Indonesia

Biodiversity Conservation in Indonesia is a crucial challenge, considering the country's diverse range of ecosystems, including tropical forests, coral reefs, and unique animal and plant species.

Progress

0%

Some statistics

Our charity platform: figures and facts

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Projects
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Donations
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Club members

How can you help us?

Your commitment can change the future for many people.

Donation

Making a donation is an important act of solidarity to help people in need. It is a compassionate action that can significantly improve the daily life of people in great distress. Donations can also have a positive impact on yourself by strengthening your connection to the community.

Join the club

En adhérant au club vous partagez une expérience humaine enrichissante avec d’autres membres. Cela vous donne l’opportunité de participer à des projets humanitaires, ce qui peut être très gratifiant et donner un sens à votre vie.

 

En rejoignant le club, vous serez connecté à une communauté et en développerez des liens d’amitié durables avec des personnes partageant les mêmes idées et les mêmes valeurs. C’est une expérience personnelle valorisante tout en faisant une différence positive dans le monde.

Sponsoring & partnership

Becoming a sponsor of our foundation offers an interesting opportunity for your company to strengthen its brand image and visibility.
En soutenant une cause humanitaire qui vous tient à cœur, vous pouvez favoriser votre engagement envers la communauté et garantir votre réputation en tant qu’entreprise socialement responsable.
En apportant une aide matérielle et/ou financière ponctuelle à travers un événement ou un projet spécifique, vous bénéficierez d’une exposition accrue, notamment grâce à une reconnaissance sur nos supports de communication tels que notre site web, nos brochures, nos événements, nos communiqués de presse et nos médias sociaux.

 

En ce qui concerne un partenariat, il s’agit d’une collaboration plus étroite, durable et impliquante de votre entreprise envers notre fondation.
Vous pouvez ainsi participer de manière plus active au rayonnement international de notre fondation et témoigner de l’engagement inaliénable et solidaire de votre entreprise en faveur des causes humanitaires et du bien commun nécessaire à la vie, au bonheur et à l’épanouissement collectif.

Testimonials

What our partners and donors are saying about us

I am delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to the digital communication of the foundation. Working with a competent, motivated, and humanly outstanding team has been a real privilege

Nicolas Gafner AZweb (Suisse)

I am honored, along with my Peruvian colleagues, to have been selected to create the foundation's polos and t-shirts with our Pima cotton. I believe that this foundation will provide an invaluable benefit to the less fortunate and disadvantaged. I send my sincere wishes for prosperity in the future.

Noe Moran nomotex.com (Peru)

Become members

Support Club of the Foundation

We strongly encourage you to join the Foundation's support club to become more deeply and actively involved in this adventure.

En adhérant au club vous partagez une expérience humaine enrichissante avec d’autres membres. Cela vous donne l’opportunité de participer à des projets humanitaires, ce qui peut être très gratifiant et donner un sens à votre vie. En rejoignant le club, vous serez connecté à une communauté et en développerez des liens d’amitié durables avec des personnes partageant les mêmes idées et les mêmes valeurs. C’est une expérience personnelle valorisante tout en faisant une différence positive dans le monde.

Become members

Support Club of the Foundation

We strongly encourage you to join the Foundation's support club to become more deeply and actively involved in this adventure.

Make a donation now

True generosity toward the future lies in giving in the present. Make a donation now.

Sponsors

Partners

Sponsors

Partners

The Blog

The latest news and articles

We place great importance on establishing clear and consistent communication with all parties involved, including generous donors, beneficiaries, and passionate supporters of our foundation. This practice not only allows us to keep you perfectly informed of current events, but also provides privileged access to information about our activities and projects.

Contact

Contact form

Follow us on social media

Founders' message

Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour Foundation

By Philippe Dufour

I have had a long, perilous, and exciting career as an independent watchmaker that has led me to the pinnacle of high watchmaking. I reached this point through sheer determination and tenacity, constantly refining my craft, never giving up, and refusing to compromise. I owe this success to myself but also to the people I have been fortunate to associate with, who have helped me on my journey.

I think of the individuals who have passed on their knowledge and love for the craft, as my dear friend and mentor Gabriel Locatelli has done so well. But I especially think of my wife Elisabeth, who has always supported me unconditionally and has assisted me so perfectly for many years. Without her, I would not be the man and watchmaker I am today.

Both of us have reached a point in our personal and professional lives where we felt the need to give back a portion of what we have received, to be the "factor of chance" for others. That is why we have created our own foundation, personally and passionately committing ourselves to the establishment and operation of this humanitarian organization.

We wanted a philanthropic foundation that is open to all the major challenges the world is facing, with a future that appears rather bleak. There are urgent situations, whether humanitarian, environmental, educational, or public health-related. We do not claim to be able to solve all the problems, but we ardently desire to do what we can to alleviate the suffering and despair of the most deprived individuals, by contributing our part to the greater good. As the saying goes, "Little streams make big rivers."

We also wanted to incorporate artisanal art into the support of the foundation, not abandoning our love for watchmaking but expanding access to young talents and all manual artistic crafts.

We have created our own foundation because we intend to pursue this endeavor just as we have conducted our respective careers – without compromise, with passion, integrity, justice, and respect, which are our core values. We also emphasize that this foundation operates with utmost transparency. Our ambition is to gather around us and this foundation individuals, clients, and friends who have admiration for the work and timepieces of Albert Thomas. We firmly believe that sharing is the key to happiness, and we hope that many will assist us in spreading a little happiness throughout the world, which is desperately in need of it.

The members of the foundation board accompanying us in this new adventure come from diverse international backgrounds (Cameroon, France, Lebanon, Peru, and Switzerland) and have a wide range of professional expertise, with strong representation of women. All these individuals will work passionately and committedly, sharing our values and philosophy.

Code of Ethics

Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour Foundation

The Philippe & Elisabeth Dufour Foundation has established an ethical charter that outlines the key ethical principles of the foundation, based on its core values. The objective of this charter is to ensure the independence of the foundation's actions and decisions, as well as the transparency of its activities and organization.

Integrity, respect, justice, transparency, and creativity are the values that guide the actions of the foundation's board of trustees. Members commit to strictly adhering to the moral rules, duties, and regulations of the foundation, as well as fulfilling their obligations towards supervisory authorities, in the execution of their tasks and missions.

They also commit to acting positively towards others, considering the impact of their actions, being inclusive, and demonstrating empathy while respecting the rights of individuals. Impartiality, selflessness, and fairness are principles that should guide all actions of the members of the board of trustees.

Transparency is a crucial element of the board of trustees' commitment. Members pledge to disclose everything and provide evidence to the foundation's donors and supporters to earn their trust.

Finally, creativity is an important value for the board of trustees, who must envision and implement innovative solutions and effective concepts to address the challenges faced by the foundation.

The board of trustees aims to alleviate the economic, social, environmental, or cultural difficulties faced by the most disadvantaged individuals through concrete and philanthropic actions. This foundation was born out of the desire of Philippe Dufour and his wife Elisabeth Dufour to "give back what they have received." The board of trustees consists of six individuals and is co-chaired by the founders, Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour.

This charter has been unanimously approved by the board of trustees, which is composed of members from diverse and complementary backgrounds, all driven by passion and commitment to serve the foundation.

Peru Project

TISANDO FUTURO Weaving the Future

Our project is to support the Peruvian association of women weavers of straw hats called "Ñari Walac." These women have been severely affected by the formidable natural phenomenon known as "El Niño," which strikes the Peruvian coast. They have lost everything.

In the first phase of our project, we aim to reactivate two essential machines to revive the production of these beautiful hats. Our objective is to support disadvantaged families who depend on this ancestral art. We have requested a quote for the required machines.

The second phase will involve implementing a training program for individuals with limited resources, enabling them to learn a trade. For this project, we rely on the association to accommodate these individuals for a minimum of six months, providing them with practical training tailored to their level. Most of them are unable to write. Our main trainer will be Master Mrs. Iris Chero.

Dans la troisième phase, les apprenantes suivront des formations en ligne sur les techniques de vente appliquées au domaine du luxe. L'objectif est de valoriser leur savoir-faire, de renforcer leur estime de soi et de leur fournir tous les arguments de vente nécessaires pour lutter contre l'invasion des produits chinois sur le marché artisanal de cette région. Maricela Lancoud sera la formatrice pour cette partie du programme.

The participants will also have the opportunity to take a practical exam remotely and receive a training certificate issued by our association, sponsored by the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation. The main trainers for this stage will be Master craftswoman Mrs. Iris Chero and Maricela Lancoud.

Currently, we are working on assessing the costs of this project, and we will submit a support request to the local government to secure free premises for the duration of the training.

This initiative aims to restore hope to these women weavers, preserve their traditional craftsmanship, and provide them with new opportunities. We believe in their potential and strongly believe that this project will contribute to enhancing their economic and social empowerment.

Gallery

India Project

The smile of a child is worth more than anything in the world

Orissa Partage is a private organization founded in 1984 following a tourist trip to India. It supports several Centers run by the Indian Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul (Daughters of Charity) in different states.

Children's homes or orphanages

Each center accommodates 70 to 200 children, mostly young girls, from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds (single-parent households, begging, leprosy, tuberculosis). A place in the children's home provides them with education, schooling, food, and hygiene.

The dispensaries

Run by the Sisters and supervised by a doctor, they provide care and free medication to a large number of patients from the surrounding areas or more remote villages. They offer outpatient services to those in need.

The leprosariums

The centers receive leprosy patients and their families who have been marginalized by society. Leprosy, which is currently in decline, affects very few children.

The sewing workshops

They offer vocational training to young girls and women, equipping them with autonomy and a means of livelihood.

The homes for the elderly and/or disabled

These entities provide shelter, food, care, and love to people found on the streets, begging or dying. They find here a roof over their heads, food, care, and love...

The centers for people with AIDS

These facilities provide care and support for individuals affected by HIV, including those who are sick or dying, as well as their children. Many of these children have lost or will lose one or both of their parents.

Gallery