I first heard about Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) during hurricane Irma back in September of 2017. On the news, members of its team, ready to go, were carrying huge boxes of telecommunication equipment. At this point, I had no idea that these people were going to become my colleagues one day, but I started dreaming about it.

I looked at their website, read about their missions, their expertise and started following them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Thus, I discovered that it was the only NGO “specialized in technology and telecommunications for humanitarian crises.” This blew my mind! So when I heard that they were looking for their new Head of Communication & International Relations, I HAD TO get the job.

Yet, here I am! It’s been two weeks now that I quit Médecins Sans Frontières (sadly, this was the only negative aspect) and moved out of the collapsed city of Paris to settle down in the beautiful and quiet southern city of Pau, where TSF was born, and where its headquarters still remain.

My first week was very busy since I took office in the midst of the preparation of TSF’s 20-year anniversary. But in fact, I could not begin at a better moment! Indeed, during the day of the celebration, which took place one week after my arrival, at Chateau de Rouillac, south of Bordeaux, I was able to meet with all the partners of TSF: representatives from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and leading companies in the telecommunications sector such as Inmarsat, AT&T, Vodafone Foundation, Eutelsat, PCCW Global, Marlink and the Thales Foundation were present. Others donators; IT CUP and Capacity Media also attended.

It was a beautiful and very emotional day for everybody. I was delighted to share this moment with my new colleagues. Those that I was admiring on the news just a few months ago. Now I am one of them and I feel honored and ready to advocate for their values: “Communications for life.”

More info:

• Summary article of TSF’s 20th-anniversary event.