Events in 2014

Geneva Marathon

Some members of our marathon's team.For the second year a team of 19 enthusiastic runners, adults and children, and sporting a Maison de Tara teeshirt, participated in the Geneva Marathon in aid of the hospice.  Those of us who are more sedentary helped to cheer on our team. 

An initial cloudy sky kept temperatures pleasantly cool for the runners, after which the sun came out to provide a golden afternoon for everyone.

The Geneva marathon is really nice because there is an event for everyone:  young and old, serious athletes, weekend joggers and those who simply enjoy a brisk walk over a few kilometres, so everyone can participate.

Some 70 kind team sponsors donated over CHF8000 to our activities.  Thank you so much.  A big thank you also to all our runners and special thanks to Johan Nauckhoff who acted as team coordinator and also sponsored the teeshirts.

We hope that next year even more ‘friends of Tara’ will join us on sponsored runs or walks.   For those of us who work at Tara it is not just about receiving donations to continue our activities, essential though these are, it is also very much about solidarity and community. 

Seminar on compassion and presence, 13-14 May

La Maison de Tara had the great pleasure of welcoming Christine Longaker, pioneer in end of life accompaniment and ex director of the Santa Cruz Hospice in California.   Over two unforgettable days, during teachings on compassionate presence, motivation and listening, Christine encouraged our volunteers and staff to constantly improve the quality of their accompaniment of people at the end of life.  Individual and collective exchanges, together with guidance in contemplative methods, brought the teachings to life and adapted to the life and needs of the hospice.    

Christine’s luminous presence stayed with us long after her departure and we are deeply grateful for her teachings.  For the second year running we benefited from the translation skills of Genevieve Hamelet and also from the excellent services of Webster University who kindly made available their large meeting room free of charge.  We thank them and deeply appreciate their community spirit.  

Family and volunteers’ annual fete 30 August

Everyone crossed their fingers the day before the fete because the weather in Geneva had been so consistently rainy.  But we were lucky!  After an overnight storm, the day dawned clear and sunny.  Some 60 families, staff and volunteers were reunited to share news and memories.  Young and old enjoyed the mellow jazz, a live singsong of old favourites led by our two talented guitarists, lots of good food and wine, and the delight of eating al fresco.

Thank you to all the kind volunteers and families who helped with the preparations and who provided some memorable dishes.  Many thanks also to our wonderful Commune of Chêne-Bougeries who provided and installed the tents and tables for the event.