Our Focus

Health and Well-being

Community Engagement

Education is at the heart of our mission. We provide educational opportunities and training programs to empower individuals and communities. Our initiatives include building schools, offering vocational training, and supporting lifelong learning to foster self-sufficiency and personal growth.

Our projects focus on sustainable development, ensuring long-term benefits for the communities we serve. From building essential infrastructure to promoting sustainable agricultural practices, we aim to create lasting change that supports economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Sustainable Development

At Step Up Now, we believe in the power of engaging local communities in every step of our projects. We work closely with community leaders and members to understand their needs and co-create solutions that foster sustainable development and empowerment.

We are committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Our projects include building healthcare facilities, providing essential medical services, and promoting health education to ensure access to quality healthcare for all.

Education and Empowerment

At Step Up Now, our efforts are strategically focused on regions with the greatest need for support and development. As depicted in the map, our primary focus is on developing and emerging countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These areas face significant challenges in education, healthcare, and economic development. By concentrating our projects in these regions, we aim to address critical issues and foster sustainable growth.

Geographical Focus

Our Impact

New Schools, Foster Care and Community Buildings

Agricultural and Entrepreneurial Support

By erecting educational, sheltering, and communal structures, we offer disadvantaged communities the spaces  and infrastructures they need to learn, thrive, and come together in solidarity and growth.

Our initiative plants the seeds of prosperity by providing resources and guidance to budding agricultural ventures and small business startups, enabling communities to harvest their own success and sustainability.

We swiftly bring vital sustenance, safe havens, and crucial supplies to communities facing adversity, offering a lifeline of support when it’s needed most.

Immediate Relief with Food, Shelter, and Care

In disadvantaged communities, their leaders are often poorly educated. We offer free training programs to help them reach their potential for themselves and their communities.

Community and Business Leader Training

Our Team

Cherez and Markus

Our mission is straightforward: to make a significant impact on the lives of those in need. We focus on practical methods to uplift communities through education and social programs.
Our journey began in the fast-paced world of Information Technology, where we spent over two decades building careers in large corporate entities. However, after experiencing personal losses, we entered a period of reflection and healing. In 2019, our paths crossed during a transformative trip, which ignited a shared passion for helping less fortunate people globally.
This pivotal moment led us to leave behind our successful corporate careers in 2023 and pursue life-changing training for community service and development. Today, we are dedicated to making a difference, sharing the transformative power of education and social support to save and reshape lives.

Michael and Lisa

Michael and Lisa Ruppen are deeply passionate about education. Michael holds a degree in Higher Education and master's degrees in History, Literature, and Linguistics. He worked at the University of Zurich in the E-Learning Department and taught at the Gymnasium level. Lisa, originally from the United States, works as a school teacher and brings her own unique perspective and expertise to the field of education. Together, they have four children and have been married since 2000.
Their shared commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, as they have actively participated in various youth and music projects, fostering a love for learning and creativity in young people. In 2020, new opportunities in India opened up for projects focused on educating children and community leaders, as well as farming initiatives that promote self-help. This expansion has allowed them to further their mission of empowering communities through education and sustainable practices.

Step Up Now was founded by two couples driven by a deep commitment to transforming the lives of the less privileged:

Advisory Board

Born in 1950, he is an experienced Swiss businessman with extensive expertise in national and international trade. He held leadership positions in retail in Switzerland and Austria, and for several years fulfilled the CEO position of an international trading group in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, managing various businesses through numerous local subsidiaries. He later took on the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors in Europe for several medium-sized companies, particularly in the organic food sector. Thus, he brings understanding and experience in leading sustainable businesses, especially in developing countries.

Patricia Bingoto-Maeder is a Senior Expert at McKinsey & Company's Global Energy and Materials practice, specializing in metals and mining sustainability. With extensive experience in driving innovation and sustainable growth strategies, she focuses on guiding metals and mining producers and consumers towards net-zero goals. Patricia's expertise in global minerals and metals strategy makes her a valuable asset to Step Up Now's Advisory Board, bringing insights on sustainable resource management and economic development in emerging markets..

Yves Enderli

Wolfgang Klampfer

From our volunteers

Wolfgang Klampfer is a Chapter Lead at Avaloq, a leading wealth management technology company. He is a passionate leader, trainer, and coach with extensive experience in people and organizational development. He has a proven track record in designing and delivering training programs across diverse cultures and countries, and is passionate about helping people grow personally and professionally.

Patricia Bingoto-Maeder

"Seing the smiles on children's faces when they received school supplies was priceless" - Eva

"Building connections with the community and seeing the direct impact of our aid was immensely fulfilling" - Brigitte

"Seeing the direct results of our efforts made me proud to be part of such a meaningful endeavor" - Christian

"This project not only changed the lives of those we helped, but it also transformed me as a person" - Sophia

Get Involved

Donate today and be a part of the change.

Use our Banking Information:
Donation account:
IBAN: CH38 0900 0000 1636 3797 7

or our Online Donation Form:

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Volunteer

Become a volunteer for one of our projects. Fill in the form below to learn more about our volunteer options.