Remembering Stephen Lobo, a courageous community activist in Mumbai
In Memoriam
Stephen Lobo (1968-2020)
Global Fund for Children is saddened to report that Stephen Lobo, a team member at Purnata, passed away on May 28, 2020, from COVID-19. Purnata is a GFC partner based in Mumbai, India.
Stephen worked with Purnata to create equitable opportunities for women and children in Mumbai’s urban slums. Over the past month, Stephen had dedicated his time to providing urgent relief, food, and sanitation supplies to members of his immediate community, commercially sexually exploited women, migrant laborers, daily wage earners, and members of the transgender community.
Prior to his time at Purnata, Stephen and his wife Sheryl lived in Dubai. Fondly called a “jack of all trades,” he was deeply involved in supporting the welfare of migrant laborers, along with his day job in marketing. After a nearly decade-long career in the corporate world, Stephen found his calling to serve.
As a staff member of Purnata, Stephen was instrumental in HIV and AIDS awareness and anti-trafficking campaigns for construction workers. This included working with laborers involved in the construction of the Mumbai Metro. It came as no surprise to the team at Purnata when he volunteered for relief work during the COVID-19 crisis.
Stephen is survived by his wife and two children. Our thoughts are with Stephen’s family and with the Purnata team as they bear this heavy loss. We express our heartfelt gratitude for his courage and service to changing the lives of those around him.
Kulsoom Khan, Regional Director, Asia
Dhvani Doshi, Country Representative, India