Meet our boardmember Espen!

In the coming weeks, we will introduce our boardmembers, and for our first blog entry on this topic, we chose Espen. Espen is Cathrine's boyfriend since 2009 and they have two small children together (Cathrine is head of the board). Espen was born and raised in Lofoten, but has lived in Oslo since 2003. He works with IT security in Cyberon Security (he also owns a small part of this firm). Espen likes to work out, doing heavy weightlifting several times a week, and is also a certified personal trainer. He is really passionate about his favorite soccerteam, the norwegian team Rosenborg from Trondheim.

Espen has been to India once, and also visited Khajuraho and Tikri (he went to visit Aryan's* family who lived in Tikri). Further down in this blog entry you will find pictures from his travel experience in India.When Aryan's* children contacted Cathrine, he was the first to suggest that he and Cathrine should support them longterm in cooperation with Vio and Vijay. Without his initiative, Ganpati Norway would never have been founded.

What do you like the most about Ganpati Norway?

I have been to Tikri and visited the family we support there and I know how different their lives are compared to mine. When Aryan's children contacted my girlfriend and it became clear to us how severe their situation was, it was obvious to me that we should do something for them long term so that they have a chance at a better life. And then it grew to become more thant just about this family! I really like our literacy project where we give children and young adults a chance to learn how to read and write in their native language, to do basic math and even some english. I hope we can support underprivileged children through secondary highschool and/or other kinds of formal education too in the future. That would be amazing!

Most people are so busy with their own "stuff" that it would never occur to them to step up for strangers far away. So was I. But suddenly we had this amazing opportunity more or less handed to us. To be involved in work like this was a new experience for me when we started, but I really enjoy it. Knowing that my small contribution can change lives on the other side of the planet.... it is nice to think about.