Chronological Headings
1921-1940 Youth
1940-1945 World War 1945-1952 School Management 1953-1958 Philosophical and Theological Studies
1958-1962 Social Studies
1962-1965 First Adult Education Courses 1966-1969 Creation of the Methodology 1970-1972 Foundation of the PRH Association 1973-1977 Growth of PRH Education 1979-1987 Creation of the PRH Education Tool 1987-1988 Creation of PRH International 1989-1990 Illness and Death Headings ContentsMarch 1921 André Rochais is born at Moulins in Deux-Sèvres. He is the oldest of 4 children. Following his
birth, his parents move to Cholet (Maine et Loire). His father is
a labourer in a factory and his mother manages a small café. He
grows up in this working-class area, in a family in which he feels
loved.
1924-1931 During this period a sister and a brother are born.
1932 André Rochais decides to become a teacher. He enters a teacher-training boarding school.
1935 A lesson on the conscience will mark him for the
rest of his days. This obedience to his conscience will be the
guiding principle of his life.
1936 At the age of 15, he joins the Brothers of St. Gabriel in St-Laurent-sur-Sèvres (Vendée).
1938 He begins teaching in the primary grades at
Saint-Jean-des-Monts. At the same time, he takes great interest
in social action. 1941 André Rochais resumes his studies to obtain hisbaccalaureate. As a result of several experiences, he now becomesaware of his leadership qualities.1943-1945 It is the time of the Second World War. During the occupation of France by the Nazis, he is sent to Germany towork in a factory under forced labour. His health suffers fromthe work which is too hard for him and he is hospitalised for severalmonths. 1945-1948 On his return to France he again takes upteaching, this time with adolescents, and becomes Assistant Principalof his school. It is at this time that he discovers his passionfor the “discovery method” of teaching. One question is always onhis mind: “how to get through to these young people to activatetheir growth mechanism?” He becomes more and more aware that heis meant to be an educator rather than a teacher.1948 André Rochais is appointed Principal of theElementary School at Sables-d’Olonne (Vendée). He sets upmeetings with both teachers and parents, discovering in that way thatthe training of adults is more interesting to him than teachingchildren. “My vocation is to be an educator of adults.” 1952 André Rochais leaves the Brothers of St. Gabriel to prepare for the priesthood. 1953-1958 He studies philosophy and theology in
Paris. While he enjoys these studies, the time spent is for him a
sort of ‘desert’ because of the lack of action and responsibilities.
1958 André Rochais is ordained at Poitiers. 1958-1960 He returns to Paris to study at the Institut
d’Études sociales. The program is rich and varied:
economics, sociology, social psychology, political science, law,
international relations, etc. He is fascinated by
psycho-sociology. The subject of his final dissertation is “The
Education of Adults”.
1961 He begins giving courses in social psychology while at the same time maintaining a parish ministry. 1962 André Rochais opens a Centre for Social Studiesand Social Action in Poitiers. He creates several courses, onpolitical life, economic life and psycho-sociology. They are animmediate success.1963 He teaches social psychology to specialist teachers. 1964 now it is Social Workers who come to him fortraining. In the same year he gives many workshops toreligious orders. He is overwhelmed with requests. He isnow totally committed to adult education. He combines hisactivities with those of “Culture et Promotion”, a trainingorganisation, and soon becomes its Regional Director. 1966 He begins the research which will lead him moredirectly to PRH. It is the year in which André Rochais firstdiscovers the work of Carl Rogers. The first diagram of the zonesof personality appears. On the educational front, the firstGuidelines for Personal Analysis (GPA’s) come out, and a rudimentaryworkshop on Personality sees the light of day.1967 Two expansion movements get underway: one inFrance, thanks to the arrival of the first Educators; the other inCanada, where André Rochais is invited to give workshops. Thefirst training workshop for Educators takes place in Poitiers. 1969 He inaugurates the first month-long training workshop. 1970 The Educators gather around André Rochais in LaHublais (near Rennes), to share their experiences. The meetingtakes an unexpected turn, becoming the Constituent General Assembly ofPRH – Personality and Human Relations. André Rochais is electedpresident of PRH and leaves “Culture et Promotion”. Andrée Lumeaubecomes a member of the first PRH Board of Directors.1971 PRH is listed in the Official Gazette. It isoperating with a handful of full-time people. André Rochaisinvests heavily in the training of these people and in the organisationof the young association. At the same time he is in great demandto conduct workshops. The first issue of “Courrier PRH” ispublished in December. André Rochais rewrites the existingworkshops and creates a new one – “Affectivity”. During thistime, he becomes aware that he is responsible for everything that isdone in the name of PRH throughout the world. He moves to LaPuye, a small village about 35 kilometres from Poitiers. 1972 People from different countries cometo France to be trained and begin to spread PRH in several countries inEurope, America, Asia, Africa and Australasia 1973 This is an important year forAndré Rochais. On the one hand, he feels that he has “completed”seven years of research and analysis; on the other, he is sorelyafflicted, having been diagnosed with Waldenström’s disease. Hishealth is clearly jeopardised and he knows his days are numbered.1974 Tension within the group ofEducators brings André Rochais to realise his position as the founderof PRH. Thus begins all of his research on what he will call “theFoundation System”. He is severely weakened by a serious attackon his health, and forced to conserve energy. 1975-1976 Andrée Lumeau takes over from André Rochais the responsibility for the training of Educators. 1978 André Rochais introduces the first version of his “Who Am I?” workshop. 1979 In response to new needs arisingfrom the internationalisation of PRH, a new association, “PRHFoundation” is formed. André Rochais becomes its firstpresident. He is at the height of his educationalcreativity. The many workshops introduced at this timeinclude: workshops for couples, workshops on affectivity, (it isduring this period that he makes his discoveries on the aspiration tobe oneself and the phenomenon of non-existence), plus the workshop“Introduction to PRH Analysis”, the key to PRH training.1980 André Rochais leaves thepresidency of PRH France to concentrate more fully on his speciality,the creation of aids to PRH training. He is succeeded by ClaudeRouyer. This is when the Personal Methodical Growth Program (FPM)is introduced. He also creates workshops on Helping Relationships. 1982 During a trip to Canada, AndréRochais suffers a brutal attack of his illness. He curtails hisactivities, cancelling personal interviews and suspending alltravel. His workdays are shortened to provide for necessary restperiods. He concentrates all his energies on creating educationaltools and setting in place the administrative structure of PRH. 1988 The last leg of his life journey begins. André Rochais puts the finishing touches on PRH administration. Anew association, “PRH International” is formed. In March, heturns over responsibility for PRH Foundation to a five-member college,with Andrée Lumeau presiding. In July, planning to establish avideo library, a team of TV professionals spend a week interviewing himon subjects dear to his heart. In November André Rochais ishospitalised in critical condition. Blood poisoning leaves himhovering between life and death for three weeks, at which time he makesan amazing discovery.1989 After spending five months in the hospital, hereturns to La Puye, where he goes back to work at a suitablepace. He wants to go to the limit to fulfil his mission. InDecember, a severe sore throat sends him back to the hospital foranother three months. He uses the time to organise and to compilethe PRH explanatory system, distributed throughout the ObservationNotes.1990 In March, he returns to La Puye for a few weeksbefore his final hospitalisation in May. On June 20th, surroundedby some of those closest to him, André Rochais passes away peacefullyat noon. His face maintained the expression of peace, surrenderand interiority that he showed so often in his lifetime, notablytowards the end. André Rochais is buried in the cemetery of LaPuye. 
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