Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Willy Rietveld. I am 50 years old and I live in Benschop, a village in Utrecht, a province in the middle of the Netherlands. My wife Jolanda and I have three daughters. For the past 25 years, I have worked for a big international tech company. I have travelled a lot for my work.
Which knowledge and experience do you bring to CCA?
In my previous job, I managed teams in 10 different countries, i.a. India and China. I also had frequent contact with businesses in Africa. Besides work, I have been a board member of my church in Benschop for 9 years. I am looking forward to combine my experience and enthusiasm to make CCA into an even greater success!
Why did you become a board member for CCA?
I love children. They touch my heart. I am motivated to contribute to a foundation that improves the prospects of children in Africa. It’s great to join a relatively new and passionate organization. A small organization with a real and tangible impact, without long bureaucratic processes.
CCA works in places where help is really needed. I have seen a bit of Africa during holidays in Kenya and South-Africa, but the stories of children in Karamoja are really tragic.
So you have travelled a lot?
Yes, I love to travel. I visited South-Africa twice and Kenya once. We scheduled a third trip to South-Africa to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary with our family, but we had to postpone it due to corona. During my travels, I became painfully aware of the big contrasts between the rich and the poor. Children are often the victims. Driven by my Christian faith and my own convictions, I can’t ignore this any longer.
What do you like to do in your free time?
The past years, I spent 50% of my time abroad for work. I love to spend my days in the Netherlands with my family. We all love to play volleyball. We play this game a lot during our family holidays. Besides that, I have a great interest in tech, construction and computers. I don’t like to be idle.
What do you expect from a visit to the projects in Africa?
I expect that it will be difficult to see the hardship. But I also expect it will be hopeful and beautiful, to be a witness of our impact. I look forward to getting to know the children and to experience the culture. I expect my motivation and “drive” to be even greater. I am excited to motivate others to contribute to CCA. Members of my church, friends, companies and foundations.
What motivates you to help CCA?
I feel blessed in my life. I am happily married and I have three beautiful children. I have a nice job and I have had opportunities to travel. I have been able to develop myself and to explore my full potential. I want to use my blessings to have a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable children.
What do you want to say to the people CCA supports in Africa?
There is a future for everyone. If we work together, we can achieve a lot. Everyone has unique capacities, more then he/she realizes. I want to tell parents that the future lies in their children. Together we can make that future as beautiful as possible.
