.png)
TEAM
Our team has different backgrounds. We will briefly introduce ourselves:
Augustine
I am a mother of two adult children and I am active in the prevention of female genital mutilation (FGM). I consider it my life's goal to contribute to eradicating this gruesome and painful phenomenon. For this reason, I founded the Dutch Stichting Stop Vrouwenbesnijdenis (End Female Genital Mutilation) foundation. I am the chair.
Judith
I am a mother of a young daughter and I work as an interpreter. Both in my personal life, during my stay in Sierra Leone (in West Africa), and as a professional I came across the practice of female genital mutilation. It hurts my heart. Therefore, I want to contribute to ending this practice. I am the secretary of the foundation.
Kees
Since my first stay in Mali in 1981, this country has deeply impressed me mainly by the warm heartedness of its people, its inventive creativity and of course its beautiful music. The dedication of motivated people to ending female genital mutilation in Mali over the past 35 years shows me the capability of people of breaking their own age-long traditions if they feel things can and should change.
I enjoyed working in international cooperation in many African countries for years. However, nowhere but with this movement in Mali did I witness such wonderful results. With relatively small finances and a group of enthusiastic people we manage to have a huge, sustainable and vital impact on the lives of many girls. It's wonderful to be a part of that. I am the treasurer of the foundation.
Paula
I am a mother to a daughter (32) and a son (27) and have worked as a hospital nurse for 45 years.
I learned about female genital mutilation, and its consequences, through a female Malian friend and Malian music. These consequences involve much pain and suffering, and irreversible bodily mutilation. I cannot accept this. Therefore, I want to contribute to ending FGM, starting in Mali.
Christel
I worked as a care professional in various settings for over 40 years. I cannot understand nor accept that this type of mutilation is still taking place at such a large scale.
I try to contribute to ending FGM by raising funds for the foundation. Each prevention of FGM counts.
Augustine
Niaré-Van der Zanden
Founder
Judith Reining
Kees van der Zanden
Paula Bouman
Christel Brouwer
PLANNED 2026 PROJECT
This is an anti-female circumcision campaign by Mousso Dambé in Mali. It was set up in collaboration with Dutch NGO 'The Wilde Ganzen Foundation'.
Who
Mousso Dambé is a campaign group consisting of 8 people in the city of Kati, 15 km from the capital of Bamako.
What
1 year of information sessions about female circumcision to residents, showing informational movies, and training teams of villagers who will continue the work.
Where
10 villages in the Nèguèla area (near Kati), with 5,000 inhabitants, of whom 2,500 are females (1,200 are under 15 years old)
Why
End female circumcision in 1 year.
How
Information campaign, supported by radio PR.
Costs
€ 24,000, including travelling and accommodation expenses.
Mousso Dambé working in Kati.