The Anne-Bo Foundation
Equal opportunities for all girls
Not all young girls can realise their dreams. Many obstacles stand in the way of their education and independence later in life. The Anne-Bo Foundation provides them with support, honouring the memory of 19-year-old Anne-Bo. She was a healthy young woman who had a big heart and a strong sense of justice. In 2019, she passed away unexpectedly.
Anne-Bo’s mother Annemieke van de Wouw wishes to honour her daughter’s memory and everything she stood for by establishing a foundation named after her. ‘Anne-Bo was very socially engaged; she had friends from across all social classes. Never judgmental, she could not tolerate injustice. Her commitment to fairness was immense.’
Higher education is not a given
It was evident that Anne-Bo really wanted to make a difference for others. With that in mind, the foundation was established. Since then, young women have been receiving support in order to continue their education and complete their studies. These women find themselves in vulnerable or difficult circumstances and are unable to study without support. Their challenges may include being raised in poverty, experiencing displacement or migration, being in care, or parenthood at a young age.
Guidance and support
To date, the foundation has provided 375 students with guidance and support in shaping their future. This includes scholarships to cover financial shortfalls, providing laptops, and covering the cost of textbooks and study materials. It also provides them with a personal coach. Not only do coaches accompany students throughout their studies, but they also draw on their own professional networks. As a result, there are now 375 coaches offering students access to work experience days, internships and the job market. Furthermore, knowledge sharing is actively encouraged at the Anne-Bo Academy,offering young women the opportunity to participate in workshops, training sessions and social events.
High retention rates
The approach is working. A high percentage of students continue on with their studies. While the national average for first-year dropouts is 20%, the dropout rate at the Anne-Bo Foundation stands at just 5%.
Betty lives in Heerlen and studies European Studies. She arrived from Kenya in 2017 along with her mother and two younger sisters. Her dream is to become a lawyer or a public prosecutor. She is mentored by Ockje. ‘I really enjoy the conversations we have. Instead of telling me what to do, Ockje asks questions that provoke thought. Just like her, I’d like to become politically engaged. The system in Kenya is very corrupt, with a great deal of abuse of power by politicians. In the future, I’d like to work at the United Nations or an organisation like Amnesty International.’
Ockje is Betty’s coach. A former politician, she was a Member of the Dutch Parliament and worked as a policy officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A mother of four herself, she is aware that her own children are given every opportunity. She is eager to give Betty a helping hand too. When Betty’s old laptop crashed, for example, Ockje immediately stepped in to help arrange a new one. She helps Betty to stay focused on achieving her dreams. ‘We’ve been working together for four years now. Our connection is incredibly energising. It’s not always easy for Betty, but she seizes absolutely every opportunity that comes her way.’