Nederlands (Dutch)
We are very happy with the support given by your goodwill ambassadors who unselfishly commit themselves to create exposure for the work of Heart for Children. Some of our ambassadors would like to explain why they do this. In those cases you will find a link to a video clip under their photo’s.
Our goodwill ambassadors are:
Prof. Jimmie Earl Perry
He is UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for South Africa and Goodwill Ambassador for the Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI, see also Dr. Harold Robles). Born in the United States of America, he is deploying his (musical) talents to make a change in the lives of people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. For example as the director of the Educational Theatre and Creative Arts Program of the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management in Stellenbosch. “Education is – especially for young people – the key to the prevention and reduction of HIV infections.”
Daniel Rodriguez
He gained world fame as “the singing policeman” when he sang “God bless America” at the memorial service following 9/11. Since 2004 he has been a full time singer and has recorded several CDÕs. In The Netherlands he is known because of his contribution to the Hour of Power Chistmas concerts, where he performed together with his wife Marla Kavanaugh.
CChristiane Engel
She is the grand-daughter of Dr. Albert Schweitzer. And a lot more! Christiane Engel is a very talented woman. She studied at the Conservatory in Zürich and was also educated in Psychology, Social Anthropology and Medicin. Besides musician Christiane also worked many years as a physician in her own practice.
Dr. Harold Robles
At the age of 12 he organized his first humanitary activity: a collection of clothes and goods for development projects. In the meantime Dr. Robles has become the great inspirator of the Medical Knowledge Institute, one of the partner organizations of Heart for Children. The objectives of MKI are twofold: Education and the provision of medical information. “All people in the world have a right to receive medical care. Until this has been achieved I will continue to work hard.”
Dr. Prof. Jan du Toit
He is the president of the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management at the University of Stellenbosch. The Africa Centre wants to encourage academic institutes to play an active and creative role in social, political and economic transformations by means of academic programmes, research and mobilization of the community.
Jan van den Bosch
For many years Jan worked for a Dutch broadcasting company and was the initiator and presenter of a yearly event for young people. Nowadays he is the host of the “Dutch touch”, a weekly interview in the broadcast of the Hour of Power on RTL5. Besides he is the owner of a media company and travel company.
Donna Schuller
Donna Schuller is married to Rev. Robert Anthony Schuller, the son of the founder of TV Church The Hour of Power, Robert Harold Schuller. Donna is closely involved with Habitat for Humanity and with the St. Patrick Project which was launched at her sonÕs church. They take care of the homeless people, help children, feed those who are hungry and offer education to single parents.
Melissa Venema
Melissa started playing the trumpet when she was only eight years old. At the age of fourteen she now performs regularly with for example André Rieu and his Johan Strauss Orchestra. She is studying at the Conservatory of Amsterdam (The Young Talents Class) and has already won many awards.
Marja Middeldorp
At the age of 20 she left for Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Bahrein in view of the dredging activities of her husband. In this at the time rather uninhabitable world (1976) she learned that rank or colour are irrelevant to friendship, help and care. The last six years she a.o. had her own TV-show, together with her mother, called “how clean is your house?” Besides running her own company, DP International, Marja works as a writer and columnist for a Dutch magazine.
Marja considers it an honour to be goodwill ambassador, for she cherishes children.
