Memorial tribute to Desmond Tutu

Global Fund for Children’s Founder Maya Ajmera shares a memorial tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

In late December, the day after Christmas, the world lost Desmond Tutu. Perhaps it was fitting that Archbishop Tutu passed from us during the season where peace is celebrated and we speak of good will to all, for those very themes defined the life of this remarkable man. Desmond Tutu recognized the commonalities that bind us, and that all of us ultimately share the same destiny: “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” His wisdom, his tireless work for inclusion and social justice with his ever-present sense of joy compelled respect and admiration. He was the world’s friend.

And Desmond Tutu was also a friend of Global Fund for Children. He was quick to offer praise for GFC’s message of hope, applauding our efforts to help young people everywhere connect to our shared humanity. In the foreword that he wrote for the Global Fund for Children book Our Grandparents, he told us:

“Grandchildren … allow us to see the world, once again, through the eyes of a child. We become more aware of life’s simple treasures – the perfection of a spider’s web, the wonders of a starfish. … Their joyful innocence awakens the child in us and gives us hope for the future.”

"Our Grandparents" book cover

Perhaps the most precious gift we can give one another is the gift of hope. From the beginning, GFC has passionately committed itself to supporting young people to realize their hopes and dreams, even in the most challenging circumstances. Together we have tried to extend the arms of the human family to embrace those from its farthest reaches. Those same passions drove Desmond Tutu throughout his exemplary life. And so we now join with the world in mourning the loss of this great man, but, more, in celebrating the lessons he gave us and the hope those lessons instill.

Maya Ajmera, Founder
Global Fund for Children

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