It is with deep sadness that I must inform you that one of the cherished leaders in The Hunger Project, Dr. Hugo González, passed away suddenly this morning in Monterrey, Mexico. Hugo was 52. He is survived by his wife Catalina Jimenez (“Caty”) and his daughter Maria José.

Hugo was a founder of The Hunger Project-Mexico in 1982 – it is his signature on their Charter Document. After having been away for many years, Hugo attended our 20th anniversary celebration in 1997 and immediately took a stand to re-energize THP-Mexico as a program country. Hugo traveled to Bangladesh to support the training of Hunger Project animators and brought the Vision, Commitment and Action Workshop (VCAW) to Africa in early 1999. He created the first Mexican version of the VCAW, and introduced it to our programs in both Peru and Bolivia. Hugo led THP-Mexico both as board chair and country director until August 2004 when, at his recommendation, he passed the baton of country directorship to Lorena Vazquez.

All of us who have had the privilege to know and love Hugo have had a profound respect for his intellect, his vision, his powerful leadership, his profound love of his country and his unyielding commitment to The Hunger Project. He will be deeply missed by all of us around the world, and the memory of his great joy for life will always inspire us.

Friend of Hugo are making special contributions to The Hunger Project (click here.)

Hugo with mushroom farmers mobilized by The Hunger Project-Mexico

Hugo with Hunger Project President Joan Holmes

Leading the first VCA in Malawi

Hugo speaking live via satellite, with Reina, at our 25th anniversary celebration.