Message from the president

alexandre lafond

When one is hit by the misfortune of tragically losing a youngest brother-- suddenly, at the age of 28--in the most devastating tsunami that ever was, one is thrown into a state of disbelief, revolt, absurdity and fear of losing one’s sanity.  It then becomes very urgent to pick up the threads that linked us to him and recall the type of person he really was, and the values he promoted.  Only then, bit by bit, do we come to realise the rich heritage he left behind in the lives of everyone around him.

By retracing Mathieu’s steps, we discover a path mapped by his need for freedom, authenticity and respect—a trail that meanders along at the mercy of love and friendship, love of life, love for people, for nature, for the planet; at the whim of his curiosity and passion, for music and for art, for sailing, hiking and travelling, a 28-year path that serenely leads him straight to that beach on the other side of the world swept by the tsunami.

Why did such a gentle and peaceful person disappear in such a roar, along with 260,000 other people, all as innocent as he?  Why?  Is there a hidden message for us?

His journey lives on through the life paths of everyone who loved him.  He clearly steers us in one direction and one direction only:  keeping our hearts open to human brotherhood, mutual help and love.  Inspired and guided by this vision, the Mathieu-Lafond Foundation intends to do its part in helping the young, here and elsewhere, to open a window—even a tiny one—onto their lives, present and future.  Mathieu’s death will not be in vain; it will bear fruit by inspiring others to get involved and move ahead on their own path of life with confidence and hope.

I whole-heartedly invite you, who believe in our mission, to become a member of the Mathieu-Lafond Foundation, and devote a few hours of your precious time and become a volunteer mentor for youth, supporting them as they strive to make their plans come true.

So that a young person’s dreams may indeed  become concrete plans.

“Get involved!”