'Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.' - Helen Keller

Team

Noy Singer

Founder and chairwoman

Estelle Cohen

Treasurer

Imke Hottentot

Secretary

Lana Kujundžić

General board member

Birthe Leysen

Birthe is a tour guide at a large travel agency and she takes care of dogs. She brings structure to the administration, planning and budget of our projects. Birthe is committed to all dogs and cats on the island and she’s a real animal lover. Birthe is called when someone’s pet isn’t doing well and she organizes neuturing campaigns. 

Annelies Vette

Annelies is a trainer, coach and writer. She and Noy directed and coordinated the Dá Valor team during the beginning of the pandemic. They also created the Personal Development training they have given twice to young people on Sal. 

Hèlio Gomes

Hèlio is an artist and athlete. He sells his painting worldwide. Hèlio distributes donated clothing on Sal and, whenever possible, on São Vicente. He made the mural ‘Dá Valor’ in Santa Maria in memory of the food program at the beginning of the pandemic. He and Maky Moreira were responsible for handing out the bags of food in Espargos. 

Maky Moreira

Maky is a photographer, guide and athlete. He took care of the social media content for the food program during the pandemic. He and Hèlio were responsible for for handing out the bags of food in Espargos. Maky has a big heart and the ambition to learn a lot in life.

Erik van der Leest

Erik is a sports teacher who was partly responsible for handing out the bags of food in Santa Maria during the beginning of the pandemic. He taught kickboxing lessen to the entire team. Erik has a big heart and makes an effort for the project day and night. Because he is a father figure to many, the team could rely on him.

Lisa Moreira van Tinteren

Lisa is a talented Jack of all trades who brings structure and overview to the projects she works on. She provides social media content, design and text. She was responsible for the OrganiCup project, where she helped hand out 500 cups to local residents and gave the education that goes along with it.

Joel en Ery

The brothers both work as photographers and handed out the bags of food during the pandemic in 2020-2021 in the three slums on Sal. These young men are also responsible for handing out donated clothing, shoes and toiletries. Both have children and family to take care of and are great cooks! The brothers grew up in the slum Santa Cruz, where they also receive tourists for tours and try to improve their English. 

Nadir Leininy

Nadir is an instructor for several water- and fightsports. He was responsible for handing out the bags of food in Santa Maria during the pandemic in 2020-2021, together with Erik van der Leest. Nadir has a big heart and is available for the project day and night. He has a clear people skills and a highly developed intuition. 

Xiixëll

Xiixëll was the photo- and videographer of the food program Dá Valor on Sal during the pandemix in 2020-2021. He also photographs all the photoshoots for Handmade in Prison. He opened his own photostudio, after working and saving up for a very long time. He is an example for many, because he worked his way up from the slums. He is his own inspiration en inspires other because of that. Xiixëll takes care of his daughter and is always available for whatever photoshoot on Sal.