Holiday Wish, Reflection, and Philanthropic Boost

 As we near the end of 2023, I reflect on the past year and invite you to join me in embracing a life full of innovative thoughts, experiences, and appreciation for the beauty around us. Let's be grateful for the wonderful things, experiences, and moments that enrich our lives. Amidst the noise and challenges that daily news brings, I feel the need to encourage ourselves. As an educator and philanthropist of many years, I discover the transformative power of philanthropy and invite you to explore it with me. During this holiday season, I wish you a moment of mental renewal. Let's set positive intentions, believing they form a powerful foundation for personal growth and collective well-being. Your strengths, talents, and expertise can contribute to a better world. Consider the impact of philanthropy, not only on others but also on your own heart. Philanthropy goes beyond monetary gifts; it's a commitment to making a positive difference in others' lives. I was inspired 46 years ago by the late Dutch psychologist Mrs. Jacqueline Rijk - Van Ommeren from Suriname to volunteer in a youth center for girls in Amsterdam. This amazing woman who wrote 12 books on Education and Education psychology challenged me with the words “there is much to do for the youth”. From then I joined the path of philanthropy.

Moving to St. Maarten took me to a continued journey of giving my time to good causes. I joined the St. Maarten AIDS foundation and its great founder Mr. Gerard van Osch more than 30 years ago, started with two brilliant and passionate educators Mr. Henri Brookson, Mrs. Lilia Aventurin-Hodge and friends Marcel van Herpen and Jelle Hamstra, Stichting Expertise Centrum Ervaringsgericht Onderwijs St. Maarten in 2003 (see Facebook link Stichting EGO Afterschool programs Expertise and Community programs). It has been and still is a rewarding journey with my co-volunteers, board members and brilliant minds. My gratitude goes to Juriaan Otto, a volunteer and project leader of Stichting EGO with a big heart  for the physical and social-emotional health of children on St. Maarten. 

I googled this site https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/guidance/philanthropy/what-is-a-philanthropist.html#:~:text=A  that describes the following: “A philanthropist is a person who donates time, money, experience, skills or talent to help create a better world”. Anyone can be a philanthropist, regardless of status or net worth. You can contribute financially or engage in volunteer work.

The inspiration and urge has been awakened by people and colleagues on my path that lived/live the life of philanthropy and gave/give to causes and impacted/impact policies, communities and lives. I think today and salute my late mother and aunt Emmelien Uiterloo-Klein and Josephine Wijnaldum, who both had so much joy during their selfless activities with the elderly and children in Amsterdam, Netherlands. I also think of Henri Brookson who I met in 1989 when I joined his team at the Sr. Marie Laurence School. His task was more than a director of a school. He has been an amazing example of steering child centered innovation in Education and uplifting the lives of children and the community. Today he still does. Today I have a fond relationship with one of my first co-volunteers in Amsterdam, my cousin Liesbeth Hok a Hin – Accord. Through her philanthropy, she provides a platform for talented writers to contribute to literature. Her foundation started with the urge to ensure that new generations in the Netherlands and Surinam can continue to develop their talents according to the core values that her late brother Clark Accord, a writer deemed essential: literature and culture, emancipation and belief in one’s own strength, knowledge of one’s history, and love for others.

I am in awe of many inspiring volunteers I met and still meet every day. And I am amazingly grateful for all the donors that support our causes, our ideas to bring changes and kindness to our societies.

I suggest for this season to explore how kind gestures, compassion, and generosity can shape a bright future for those in need during these holidays and beyond. While enjoying the warmth of our loved ones, let's acknowledge the grace in our lives. Despite the harsh realities in the world, I am grateful for the peace on my island St. Maarten, counting my blessings. Together, let's turn our blessings into acts of kindness that transcend boundaries.

Recently, I received an inspiring video reminding me of the power of our words and the thoughts. In my quest for the meaning of life, I encountered lots of enlightened beings encouraging us to embrace positivity. Let's nurture a positive mindset and encourage others to do the same, contributing to a collective energy that can bring about positive change. In the upcoming days and the new year, I encourage you to carry the spirit of renewal, philanthropy, and positivity with you.

May our positive intentions create a ripple effect of goodness and peace, and may the awareness of grace in our lives inspire us to remain at the forefront of positive social change. Together, we can speak this positivity into the universe and transform the world.

Wishing you happy holidays and a good 2024!