My Story...

Over the last 25 years, I’ve dedicated my life to creating meaningful impact through education, social advocacy, and financial literacy. My journey has taken me across cultures, continents, and communities from managing real estate relocations in the Netherlands to teaching English to Buddhist monks in Nepal.
 

Born in the Netherlands with Indonesian roots, I’ve always been drawn to stories of resilience and transformation. That calling shaped my path early on. I began as an entrepreneur at the age of 23 starting a catering business and at age 24 became the youngest bar owner in the Netherlands. But while that business was successful, I realized my true passion lay in something deeper: empowering those who didn’t have access to the same opportunities I did. After selling the business at 30 I shifted course.

I spent the next two decades working on the frontlines of education and social development. I’ve worked with refugees, vulnerable youth, and low-income families designing and delivering programs in financial literacy, healthy lifestyle and career preparation. I’ve trained educators and social workers, led community initiatives, and raised funds for organizations like the Ronald McDonald Charity, Stichting Jozef, Together for Nepal and many more.
 

One of my proudest achievements is creating Free Money, a child-friendly financial education curriculum that helps young people develop healthy money habits early in life. I’m also a co-author of Growing Hearts & Minds, a mindfulness-based educational framework that brings compassion and awareness into classrooms and homes around the world.
 

My work has allowed me to organise and lead cooking school programs in Amsterdam, Almere, Amersfoort en Zaandam. I have build bridges between communities through multicultural events, and speak publicly about the importance of social responsibility, inclusion, and kindness. I’ve had the honour of serving both as a mentor and a student learning just as much from the people I work with as I teach them.
 

What drives me is a deep belief that education is more than academics it’s the foundation of human dignity and freedom. When we give young people tools to understand their rights, manage their resources, and believe in their potential, we create ripples that reach generations.
 

Today, I continue to work on creating boks for children and young adults with a clear message. Part of my time is spend on global fundraising projects and building programs that bring people together for a better world.