Johanne Nathusius

Johanne Philippine Nathusius was the founder, in 1861, of the "Elisabethstift", set up as an institution for looking after mentally handicapped boys from socially disadvantaged families. As the children grew to adulthood she expanded the remit of the "Elisabethstift" to embrace provision of education, specialist workshops and an auxiliary school for those in her care. Mindful that every individual had his own needs and potential, she took care to ensure that individually suitable employment opportunities were found. She was deeply influenced by her religious beliefs, and convinced that the sick and handicapped who were obliged to live out their lives on the fringes of society, were all loved by God, and she tried to give meaning to the lives of all those for whom she cared through the provision of appropriated education and work chances.