It is with great sadness and deep respect that we say goodbye to Stephanie Bussmann, the founder and soul of our association Reach for the Stars, who passed away on March 10, 2025, in Frankfurt.
Stephanie not only founded our association—she supported and shaped it with heart, courage, and tireless commitment. Her goal was to give young people from the villages around Auroville prospects for the future through education. With her vision that every person, regardless of origin or gender, has the right to education and development, she changed countless lives.
One of her special abilities was to connect people across cultural, linguistic, and social boundaries. She treated everyone with warmth, clarity, and a strong sense of justice. Her integrity, organizational talent, and human depth remain an example and inspiration to us all.
Even in difficult times, whether during the tsunami relief effort or when facing personal challenges, Stephanie remained a strong and reliable force at the center of our work. Until the very end, she was committed to Reach for the Stars with her head and her heart, driven by the conviction that change is always possible if you believe in it and are committed to it.
With Stephanie’s passing, we have lost not only an extraordinary founder, but also a friend, mentor, and visionary. Her legacy lives on in each and every one of our scholarship recipients.
With deep gratitude and silent remembrance
The entire Reach for the Stars team
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