- ATD Fourth World

The farm, situated in the village of Treyvaux in the Swiss canton of Fribourg, was already more than one hundred years old when it was first visited in 1967 by two members of the ATD Fourth World Volunteer Corps. They were looking to buy a property that would allow families living in deep poverty the chance to spend time away from their everyday struggles and the fight to survive.

The ATD Fourth World Switzerland national centre moved in the following year as building work continued all around. Implicated in both the French-speaking and German-speaking regions, it quickly became a centre from where projects were both divised and launched, and from where people wishing to commit their time and energies to the fight against poverty were supported. In 1970, the dream finally came true and families living in poverty came for their first respite stays.

After countless events over the years and given the age of the building, it became necessary to bring it once more into line with regulations. It was decided to completely renovate the building, all the while keeping its distinctive, regional style and bearing in mind the voices of those who had passed through its doors on what, according to them, it was important to keep. The renovation work was begun by the team and groups of young people, before being taken over by professionals.

After more than two years of intense labour and reconstruction, the weekend of 26-27 May was a time to celebrate. More than five hundred people from all over Switzerland and from as far afield as Peru came to witness the official re-opening of the renovated Fourth World House. Robert, from Paris, arrived carrying his artwork from the painting workshop in which he participates, and took the opportunity to proudly display them to others.

On the Saturday, pride of place was given to the spoken word. A Fourth World activist who has known poverty talked of her children who “… adore this place. They come and take part in workshops here, and can learn about the world. Being able to play, to live and to let their creative side out are important.”

Hans Peter Fuhrer, the president of ATD Fourth World Switzerland, and Eugen Brand, Director General of the International Movement ATD Fourth World, as well as Micheline Calmy Rey, a conseillère fédérale, also spoke during the ceremony.

The weekend, was not only an opportunity for those present to root themselves in the Fribourg soil but also to broaden their horizons. People linked to ATD Fourth World in Haiti sent a beautiful metal sculpture to link the two locations, however far apart they may be. It was a symbol of how the centre and the weekend both stood for, and continues to stand for, the coming together of people of all ages, backgrounds, languages and cultures.