Team Suisse Romande – JUST FOR SMILES

Emmanuelle Schatzmann

What motivated me to work for Just for Smiles

– Acting against the isolation and social exclusion of people with disabilities. Saying no to indifference and above all saying yes to differences. Saying yes to tolerance and living together through sports. And finally, saying a big yes to fighting every day to evolve society and to act concretely so that every person with a disability can live with and among others in respect of their differences and free will.

An achievement that is particularly close to my heart

– In fact, I’ll cheat and mention three achievements that are close to my heart:
(i) Every beautiful smile of our beneficiaries that becomes a powerful and inspiring force for changing mindsets within our society;
(ii) Every donation from our generous donors and patrons that is capable of creating significant change and positive impact on the major challenges of disability today;
(iii) Every gesture, every warmth of the heart, and all the energy that the Just for Smiles team invests every day to grow this incredible chain of solidarity around disability in Switzerland.

My future vision for Just for Smiles

– Making a lasting difference to the needs of our beneficiaries and addressing the major challenges around disability through strengthening the positioning, funding, and visibility of Just for Smiles throughout Switzerland. On behalf of the Foundation, a big thank you to all our donors and supporters who enable us to continue reducing the still very real inequalities and encourage us to launch new initiatives through sports.

16 February 2024/by Erik Bergström

Lara Kuonen

French Speaking Team, German Speaking Team, Team Deutsche Schweiz, Team Romandie, Team Romandie, Team Romandie, Team Suisse alémanique

What Inspired Me to Join Just for Smiles
Committing myself to a foundation that places human dignity, joy, and vulnerability at its core was a heartfelt decision for me. I was fortunate to participate regularly in leisure and outdoor activities during my childhood and youth—experiences that gave me a sense of freedom, confidence, and connection to the world.

Today, my goal is to offer these same opportunities to those who often face societal barriers preventing them from enjoying such experiences.

A Success That Is Particularly Close to My Heart
Making the foundation’s mission visible in all regions of Switzerland and building a committed and loyal support network—this is what drives me. I want to contribute to ensuring that even more people with disabilities can take part in extraordinary activities.

My Vision for Just for Smiles
To me, Just for Smiles is a bridge—connecting those in need of support with those who strive for greater solidarity and inclusion.

By inviting donors to join us on this bridge, we can help shape a society where no one is left behind.

16 February 2024/by Erik Bergström

Nicolas Grangier

Team Romandie

12 February 2024/by justforsmiles

Sylvie Lauper

What motivated me to work for Just for Smiles

Being a mother of two young people with disabilities, it is clear to me the need for structures like Just for Smiles. Not only do I see the benefits for my two young ones, but I have also observed the negative effects of a lack of outdoor activities during the COVID pandemic. It is therefore with conviction and happiness that I joined the team of Just for Smiles.

An achievement that is particularly close to my heart

Diversifying the range of leisure offers at Just for Smiles and being able to offer outings to even more people.

My vision for the future of Just for Smiles

For the presence of people with disabilities in leisure activities, politics, or even strategic positions to become so commonplace that we forget about the disability and focus on the human being as a whole.

1 February 2024/by justforsmiles

Sylvain Plepp

French Speaking Team, French Speaking Team, French Speaking Team, French Speaking Team

What motivated me to work for Just for Smiles

– To allow my profession (which is mostly in the shadows) to bring some light into this world. To put my skills at the disposal of a cause that is working for good.

An achievement that is particularly close to my heart

– Participating in the development of Just for Smiles. To contribute to this beautiful cause through careful, coherent and transparent work.

My vision for the future of Just for Smiles

– That the reach of Just for Smiles continues to grow.

* Authorised representative

1 March 2023/by justforsmiles

500 000

SEVERELY DISABLED PEOPLE IN SWITZERLAND

4 120

PARTICIPANTS IN OUR ACTIVITIES IN 2022

Let the counter go up!

About the foundation

Gliding through the snow, riding the waves, taking in the fresh air of the great outdoors, experiencing the exhilaration of speed: Just for Smiles is a Foundation with a public interest status that gives children, teenagers and adults with restricted mobility the opportunity to enjoy all the excitation and freedom of outdoor activities.