Peace Dutch
A beacon of hope for children in Peru
How a Dutch initiative is changing lives
Imagine a world where every child, regardless of their background or medical condition, has the chance to live a healthy and happy life. This is exactly what Stichting PAZ-Holandesa stands for. Founded in 1999 by visionary Marjan van Mourik and Dr. Daniel Paz y Geuze, this organization has emerged as a true game-changer in children's health care in Peru.
From dream to reality
What started as a focus on children with birth defects has grown into a comprehensive care program. PAZHolandesa not only focuses on the treatment of conditions such as cleft palate, spina bifida/hydrocephalus and Down syndrome, but also offers crucial aftercare. This includes:
- Speech lessons for children with speech problems
- Dental care for a radiant smile
- Physiotherapy to improve mobility
- Psychological guidance for mental support
More than just medical care
What makes PAZHolandesa unique is its holistic approach. They understand that true healing goes beyond the physical. By supporting children and their families on all fronts, they create an environment where recovery and growth go hand in hand.
Your role in this inspiring story
If you’re reading this, you might be asking yourself, “How can I help?” The great thing is that every contribution counts. Whether you can offer time, expertise, or financial support, there’s a way to get involved in this valuable work.
PAZHolandesa shows that with passion, dedication and the right expertise, we can truly make a difference in the lives of children. It is a story of hope, resilience and the power of human compassion. And the best news? This story is far from over. With your support, PAZHolandesa can continue to grow and offer even more children in Peru a chance at a better future.
Personnel and organization
MANAGEMENT
The board of the foundation Fundación PAZ-Holandesa consists of:
President
Dr. Maartje Frijlink
Secretary
Mr. Peter Schults
Treasurer
Mrs. Yvonne Nesselaar
In Peru, the Asociación PAZ-Holandesa was founded in 2000, is officially recognized by the Peruvian government and has a Peruvian board.
Management and implementation
The director of the organization is Mrs. MJ van Mourik, who has been employed on a permanent basis since January 1, 2021.
In Peru, management was transferred to a local Peruvian team in November 2024:
- Organization and operational projects (general management, medical director, medical staff [doctors, nurses, cleaning, kitchen, security and maintenance staff] number 60)
- Finance/Accounting (3)
- Administration/RRHH (5)
In addition to the employees in Peru, PAZ-Holandesa is supported by physicians (volunteers) from various countries who staff the surgical teams for several weeks each year.
Mission
The mission of PAZ-Holandesa is: " Improving the social and medical living conditions of underprivileged children in (mainly central and southern) Peru, as well as promoting the development of basic health care in general and everything that is directly or indirectly related to this or may be conducive to this, all in the broadest sense of the word. "
General objective
The general objective of PAZ-Holandesa is: “ To actively promote the improvement of basic health of underprivileged children in central and southern Peru, by carrying out surgical projects, providing knowledge transfer and setting up sustainable medical projects and partnerships. "
Target audience
The free projects of PAZ-Holandesa focus specifically on children (0-16 years) from the poorest sections of the population of Peru, who have no money for medical care. These are the many children from the poor neighborhoods of the big cities and children from rural areas who are almost completely deprived of any form of health care (high in the mountains, deep in the jungle or on the high plains in the desert). Special attention is paid to children with birth defects (cleft lip, spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus), urinary tract, Down syndrome and cardiopathy. In addition, PAZ also offers paid medical care to children and adults from families who can afford it. The proceeds from this can be used to expand medical care for children from poor families.
Service area
The catchment area covers the centre and south of Peru (an area the size of a country like France) and consists of over 7 million inhabitants, 40% of whom are aged 0-16 years.