Video by: Olivia Centeno, UWC Mostar, Class of 2024 from Spain
Reading the comments about David's death, I was surprised at how many people wrote the same thing and felt that David had changed their lives.
He brought new experiences into my life and changed my worldview too. I had horrible war experiences and lived with my family as a refugee (1993-1997) in Germany for four years. I returned to a war devastated Mostar in the summer of 1997.
I met David and George Walker (he was the Director General of the International Baccalaureate at the time) in Mostar, 2004
This was when I was the Chair of the School Board of Mostar Gymnasium (which was the first and only school that had students from two nationalities attending it and sharing the same space since the war from 1992-1995.)
As a former Gymnasium student myself, I had a strong desire to contribute to getting life in Bosnia and Herzegovina and specifically Mostar, back to normal.
The story of UWC was absolutely unknown to me.
David "captured" me with his story about what the UWC is and what he was trying to accomplish in Mostar; and now I am already in my third term as the Chair of UWC Mostar College Board.
People are writing about David's talents, but I am a witness to the immense persuasion power he had.
With his charisma, enthusiasm and positive energy, he managed to convince me (a lawyer who was volunteering in education) and had weak English skills, to accept the role of Chair of a College board where English was the official language with members who are fluent English speakers.
One of my favorite memories of David was the organizing of his farewell from the position of the Chair of the Foundation that founded UWC Mostar. On that occasion, I organized a dinner at my house and invited some of the board members. The invitation stated that it was David's "divorce party"(my english). David joked that he could not remember the wedding at all…
Jasminka Bratić, Chair of the College Board
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David B. Sutcliffe's family has sent the following message to the UWC community: "We have been greatly moved and are immensely grateful for all the wonderful messages, memories and thanks to David, which have comforted and supported us at this sad time. David’s funeral will take place at All Saints’ Church, 122-122A High Street, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 2HS on Friday, 29th November at 11.30 am. Family and friends are welcome. There will be a reception afterwards at The Tiger (church hall) next door. Family flowers only. According to David’s wishes, any donations should please go to the UWC Mostar Endowment Fund for student scholarships. It is thought that there will also be a memorial event for David held in the New Year. With love from Elisabeth, Michael, Veronica and families.’
