From 1996 on StartFund Netherlands has co-funded over 200 projects worldwide.
Some recent project examples are:
THE X-FACTORY (SOUTH AFRICA)
This very successful project with a lot of media attention was initiated by two students from TU Delft University in the Netherlands. They found with the help from Foundation Kidsrights an old building in the AIDS slums of Bronkshorstspruit (Gauteng) and turned it into a factory that makes sustainable design slippers 'Plakkies' from old tyres by the people from the slums.
The design was inspired by drawings made by orphans of Bronkshortspruit. The profit flows back into the slum community for health care, education etc. STARTFUND NETHERLANDS has supported EUR.15.000,- for this EUR. 99.500,- project. In the past six months already more than 35.000 Plakkies are sold.
SANITARY AND SMOKELESS COOKERS IN TIMAL (NEPAL)
In January 2008 Foundation Sathsathai started the execution of the plan to realise good toilets and smokeless cookers for every family in the 1.400 houses in Mechchne in the highlands of Nepal. The families were suffering from very bad health. STARTFUND NETHERLANDS sponsored two times these facilities for 600 families with an amount of EUR. 13.000,- in a project budget of EUR. 52.000,- We look back on a very warm and efficient co-operation with Sathsathai giving us adequate reports and updates.
THE A-FACTOR PROJECT (UGANDA)
United Movement to End Child Soldiering (UMECS) is giving education in skills by agricultural projects for young people, victims of the terrible war and violation (1986-2006) in Uganda. The applicant Charles Onencan was an ex- child soldier himself and is now a social worker for young people. We met him personally in the STARTFUND office and were impressed by his warm heart, wisdom, inspiration and insight in the problems of his country. Total project costs EUR. 29.400,- while STARTFUND NETHERLANDS participates with EUR. 10.300,-
REDESIGN HEMEL BABY INCUBATOR
About 40 years ago the Dutchman Van Hemel developed a ambulant incubator easy to use for developing countries to take care of the needy new born for the small prize of EUR. 325,-.
In the meantime nearly every developing country is used to work with these Hebi’s. New times have new rules for materials, transport costs, communication & explanation and parent-baby interaction. That is why another design was needed. Students from the University Delft in Holland made a redesign plan to honour the environment in materials, transport and use and also to improve the possibility of interaction between parent and baby. Total costs EUR. 11.900,- with an amount of – EUR. 6.000,- of STARTFUND NETHERLANDS support.
