THE BOARD: MEET KATE NL

Kelly de Vries: President & Founder

Africa is an extraordinary continent with so much hope, chances and possibilities. However this is not always the image shown to the Western world. I established the Meet Kate Foundation in 2007 to highlight this positive side. After finishing my Master’s degree in International Development Studies – Children’s Rights, I moved to Ghana in 2011 to focus on Meet Kate’s projects fulltime.

"When we reject the single story
When we realize that there is never a single story about any place
We regain a kind of paradise" (Chimamanda Adichie, TED, 2009)

This is my paradise.

Personal story of Kelly about the wonderful and the difficult sides to working for Meet Kate (September 2011).

Myrthe Oostenbach: Chairman

The drive and passion of the employees, the children who care for each other like family, that’s the beauty of the Children’s Home. This is what I saw when I volunteered for Meet Kate for five months in 2011. I discovered that developmental work is more than just helping out, and that good intentions alone don’t get the job done. I am convinced that together we can accomplish great things, as long as you’re on the same level, learn from each others culture and see the windows of opportunity. Meanwhile I started to love Meet Kate and want to show the world this beautiful side of Africa, because:

‘If enough people are touched and imbued with a spirit of caring, it could in time change the whole landscape of how children are treated.’ (Nelson Mandela)

Nienke Mauritz: Treasurer

During the time that I lived in Ghana I came into contact with the Meet Kate Foundation.Immediately I was very impressed by the work the foundation is doing in Ghana and the projects that the Meet Kate Foundation is supporting. During my stay in Ghana it was great to see with my own eyes what the foundation had achieved in the recent years.  What I personally like most about the projects of the Meet Kate Foundation, is the belief in the local strength, making sure that people become independent. Ensuring that the projects can run independently, and invest in durable and high-quality projects, and to implement customized solutions and investigate in what is needed in any situation.During my time in Ghana I was closely involved in the foundation and I am very happy that now, since I returned to the Netherlands, I can continue my work here.

Muriel Koch: Secretary & Founder

The five months I spent in Ghana in 2006 have taught me several things. First of all, that even under very difficult circumstances, people are able to hold their heads high, to laugh, to dance, to enjoy and to continue fighting for what they believe in. I realized that it was by pure coincidence that I was born in The Netherlands and not in Ghana, and that others are just as entitled to the things I find normal, like having enough food and water, getting an education and access to health care. I feel it’s my duty as a human being to help others that are less fortunate. Furthermore, I am convinced that if a country is to change in any way, education will play a crucial role in the process. 

Kofi Annan said it: "Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development". That is what I believe in, and that is what we try to contribute to as a foundation.

VOLUNTEERS:

Joline	Dianne	Tom	Kiymet	Liselot