Who we are
Change starts at the bottom.
We're not against huge, multinational organisations - we just believe that there are more effective ways to make a change for the better with a donation. For a better future for everybody and everything.
The people behind it
basmati - authentic help was launched in September 2007 by Swiss communications expert Raphaël Surber and graphic designer André Laubacher. In January 2008, the association basmati was officially founded and registered as a non-profit organisation.
Der Vorstand
Raphaël Surber, Director
Raphaël Surber, communications expert and former journalist, studied marketing management and business administration at the University of Basel. Since 2011, he has been full-time managing partner and managing director of the communications agency agentur mehrwert ASW in Baden AG (Switzerland), which he founded together with André Laubacher. He is also co-founder and board member of the online newspaper Travelnews.
Susanne Soo Jin Surber
Susanne Surber, business and human resources specialist, has been supporting the association basmati since 2010. Susanne Soo Jin Surber, born in Seoul, Korea and raised in Switzerland, is a mother of two grown-up children. Her commitment to environmental and social issues shaped her from an early age.
André Laubacher
André Laubacher is co-founder of the association basmati and creator of the original appearance of our organisation. He is managing partner of the communication agency agentur mehrwert ASW in Baden, art director and creative mastermind.
Vanessa Bay
Vanessa Bay joined the board of the association basmati in 2021. The busy connoisseur of the tourism industry and PR specialist is managing director and owner of the PR agency Primcom with offices in Zurich, Berlin and Vienna.
Gianni Moccetti
Gianni Moccetti has been strengthening the board of the association basmati since 2021. He has decades of experience in the travel industry (including many years as Kuoni Sales Manager), during which time he developed a strong emotional attachment to South East Asia and the Mekong region.