Our history
In 1998, Marjan van Mourik (1958) visited Peru for the first time. She was quickly captivated by the country, the people and specifically the fate of the children. She saw many children with cleft lip and the problems the children experienced as a result. Marjan was convinced that she had to and wanted to help these children.
With a team of Dutch specialists, Marjan returned to Peru in 2000 to operate on children with cleft palate in the local hospital of Cuzco. The project was a great success and was widely reported in the Dutch media (NCRV TV).
Through Daniel Paz Y Geuze, pediatric neurosurgeon of the Rotterdam Sophia children's hospital and of Peruvian descent, the idea arose to set up an outpatient clinic in Arequipa. The Fundacion Paz Holandesa Foundation was born.
The first years were difficult. Marjan divided her time between the Netherlands and Arequipa, between the renovation of the outpatient clinic and the organization of surgical projects. In 2005, Marjan made the decision. She decided to settle permanently in Peru and to start building a new children's hospital "Hospital Infantil Tony Molleapaza Rojas". With the income she would generate with this, she could help poor children for free.
The construction of this hospital has been underway since 2006. The bureaucracy, local lack of (technical) knowledge, the South American mentality and limited financial resources made this a huge challenge.
With unparalleled perseverance, overcoming countless setbacks and boundless enthusiasm, Marjan has realized her dream. In 2008, the outpatient clinic was opened and in 2012, the hospital was put into use.
The board
Rainier van Twisk
President
Dr. Reinier van Twisk, plastic surgeon, worked until a few years ago at the Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem and the Middelaan Clinic, Velp.
For many years he went to India via the foundation Intes, which he founded, to operate on people with cleft lip and palate or burns. And since 2007 he has been coming to Arequipa once or twice a year to operate on children with cleft lip and palate or children with burns. He is therefore familiar with the entire situation of the foundation in Peru and the Netherlands. He has accepted the chairmanship of the foundation since September 1st.
Yvonne Nesselaar
Treasurer
Specialist in health communication with a big heart for care and welfare, researcher of patient satisfaction and care experience, radio presenter. Extensive experience in care and welfare in various functions. Enthusiastic and well-informed presenter/chairperson.
She now works as a coordinator for the roll-out of Even Buurten at the Municipality of Rotterdam, but is also a radio producer and specialist in healthcare communication.
Marieke Gieteling
Secretary
Marieke Gieteling was born in Cuba and spent her youth in Peru. After her medical studies, she worked as a doctor in our children's outpatient clinic from 2001 to 2003. All of this created a strong bond for her with Peru. She now works as a general practitioner in Moordrecht and, together with her husband Kees Jan Korving, also a doctor, has a fantastic family with three young children. The combination of her experience of living and working in Peru - and her profession as a general practitioner, is a huge asset to have her as a board member.