Portrait of a volunteer: Nicole Thauvette | VIVA MÉDIA Skip to main content

Sometimes the involvement of one person can make all the difference. Caring people are involved in many causes. Regularly, they do it on a voluntary basis. We are talking about exceptional people. This is the case for Nicole Thauvette, president of L’Accueil pour Elle.

Mrs. Thauvette is a master in the art of volunteering. From a young age she has been practicing it. Whether at school with the Catholic Student Youth (JEC) or helping in the cafeteria, Nicole Thauvette has always had this need to help others.

For example, at the end of the 70s, she decided to create a Volleyball league which received around 100 women each year.

“We had one man per group who came to make passes at us, otherwise it was only women”, explains the president of L’Accueil pour Elle.

Strength of character

Unfortunately, her experience with L’Accueil pour Elle begins with the violence she suffered by her then-husband. She will therefore reside there for a period of 3 months. It was after her stay that she was approached by the managers of the organization to offer her a position on the board of directors.

Photo Nicole Thauvette

She will remain 6 months as member of the board to then become president for 10 years, from 1990 to 2000.

She will return to her position in 2016 to breathe new life into the organization.

“I’ve always been involved in things that fascinate me”, says Mrs. Thauvette. This organization saved my life. I will always be grateful and believe that I have something to offer them.

Volunteering, why?

VIVA MÉDIA wanted to know what drives the 69-year-old woman to always mobilize for her community without asking any questions.

The former medical clinic secretary believes it’s in her personality and her soul. She knows her mother has always been involved and that she has followed the same path.
Mrs. Thauvette also believes that she is the winner when she does volunteer work.

“The feeling that I get after I’ve been able to help someone or just listen to them does me a lot of good, said the president. There is always some return to volunteering. Whether it’s a thank you, a hug or a recognition, getting involved in your community pays off. ”

Nicole Thauvette’s dream is to recognize the contribution of the women who built the Suroît. She sees a simple, yet meaningful place to remember that without the strong women of the region, nothing would have happened.

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