COMMITTEE OF RECOMMENDATION
Dr. Muchammadun, The Department of Islamic Community Development, Mataram State Islamic University
I have known Harapan Baru Lombok Indonesia for over four years (and the cooperation is still ongoing). I believe Harapan Baru Lombok Indonesia has strongly emphasized the (economic) empowerment of persons with a disability. I have seen how Harapan Baru Lombok advocates for them, bringing participatory actions from other groups and communities within the society.
The impact that Harapan Baru Lombok has brought is not just limited to livelihood provision for the impaired but also raising awareness and local ownership and participation from the community members to share a commitment to improve the living conditions of the disadvantaged.
I am happy to support Harapan Baru Lombok Indonesia by volunteering for this committee, as their work as a small yet progressive NGO working at grassroots levels deserves our support. From the successful participatory actions in West-Lombok, their impact is not about empowering their clients but also about building capacity in and broader support for community organizations and influencing policy. Harapan Baru Lombok Indonesia, therefore, deserves our committed support.
Hans Metzemaekers, Director of Elderly Care Organization Azora, Former Member of the Rotary Club Aalten-Wisch
The Harapan Baru Foundation enables underprivileged young adults (due to poverty and/or disabilities) on Lombok, Indonesia, to become independent and self-sufficient in society through education, training, and medical care. It is truly wonderful to offer young people in a hopeless situation a future in which they can be meaningfully active, earn appreciation and respect, and feel included! Every euro donated to the Harapan Baru Foundation contributes to the happiness and well-being of young people who would otherwise remain in a hopeless situation. What better way could money be spent?
Willem Verwey, Professor at Twente University
My name is Willem Verwey, and I am a professor at the University of Twente. I became a member of the recommendation committee of the Harapan Baru Foundation because I feel attracted to its mission. While I train young adults in daily life, helping them build a bright future, I also want to contribute to a foundation that supports people, often young, in disadvantaged positions. Harapan Baru contributes through education, guidance and employment. This enables people to become independent and build a full life, allowing them in turn to contribute to society.
Hans te Lindert, Alderman of the Municipality of Aalten
I am Hans te Lindert, former teacher and school principal, father of three growing children and married to Janneke. As an alderman, being “close to the community,” bridging the gap between society and politics, translating voices from the community into policy is what motivates me every working day. As alderman of -among other policy areas- education and youth in the municipality of Aalten, I am committed to equal opportunities for young people. There is much to gain in this area, even in our municipality. To see the different starting points of children is painful, and this is in our own municipality, in our prosperous country in the rich West. The contrast is even more painful when we move to Lombok, Indonesia, where Nick Rensink — from IJzerlo in our municipality — is active. There, inequality of opportunity is much greater, especially when compounded by one or multiple disabilities. The Harapan Baru Foundation is committed to these people who are (at risk of) being excluded from society. Where the government falls short, Harapan Baru works towards a promising future for those for whom this is far from guaranteed. I wholeheartedly recommend the Foundation to you!
Harry Esselink, Founder of Esselink Landscaping Company
My name is Harry Esselink (founder of Esselink Landscaping Company and head of my family, consisting of a wife, three children, and eight grandchildren). I have witnessed several passionate speeches by Nick Rensink and Frank Timmermans about the good works of Harapan Baru. I am impressed by the impact they are making on Lombok for people who haven’t been dealt a fair hand in life. As Rotary Aalten-Wisch, we have supported several Harapan Baru projects, and it feels good to contribute to the foundation’s great work. I highly recommend this foundation to you all. Every euro is well-spent!