History
Hannah Laufer-Rottman held senior positions at the United Nations World Food Programme and founded Palms for Life Fund, a US-based 501(c)(3) in 2006.
Her vision for Palms for Life is that of an organization that fights for basic human rights, beyond charity or hand-outs, by fostering active participation and ownership by local populations, ensuring sustainable results.
Each local organization carrying out projects funded by Palms for Life is carefully chosen following the Founder’s strict guiding principles. These local implementing partners provide needed services in select communities that lack education, food, water and sanitation.
During her 30 year career with the UN, she saw the devastating effects of hunger, lack of clean water and facilities, and poverty in general.
MY UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
I have always been an unconditional supporter of human rights and tolerance. Because of this passion, I worked for the UN World Food Programme for 30 years. When I retired from the UN in 2006, I took with me my never-ending commitment to ending poverty.
I have seen poverty throughout the world. I know what it means for poor people to live a life with no hope for the future, and I know with complete certainty that we can make a difference by joining hands and working together.
The cycle of poverty can be broken; it takes vision, knowledge, persistence, understanding, commitment, and participation at the local level.
WHY PALMS FOR LIFE
The image of hands reaching out symbolizes unity, solidarity, equity and shared humanity- values at the heart of the PFL mission. This image represents our hope for a global alliance to fight poverty and build human rights.
At Palms for Life, we don’t impose solutions— we build them with communities. Our projects are designed to foster local ownership, accountability and long-term change. By placing shared responsibility in the hands of participants, we restore agency, inspire hope, and empower people to shape their own futures.
We believe that true change begins with mutual learning. When communities are informed and engaged, they become the driving force behind their own social development.
From the UN to the Frontlines of Change
After leaving the United Nations, Hannah Laufer-Rottman committed herself to continuing the fight against hunger and poverty—building on her direct, lived experiences, thus establishing Palms for Life.
IT’S NOT ABOUT CHARITABLE HANDOUTS, IT’S ABOUT JUSTICE
Our work isn’t about feeling good; it’s about doing what’s right.
“I know with absolute certainty that we can break the cycle of poverty - by joining hands and working together. I founded Palms for Life because I have seen poverty throughout the world, and I know what it means for people to live without hope for the future. Breaking this cycle of poverty, requires more than compassion: it takes knowledge and participation at the local level, a clear vision of the complex factors that perpetuate poverty, and an unwavering commitment to basic human rights. At Palms for Life we are working to restore dignity and transform lives, sustainably, one community at a time.”