Blogs

With Mirabelle and Mama Damaris, I discovered at Ya Bana Village that financial literacy is about much more than money. With four different groups, we shared stories, explored choices and talked about building a more independent future. Read about the conversations about savings, dreams, choices, entrepreneurship and building a more independent future.

How a difficult childhood, a career in accounting and a passion for helping communities led me to Africa. Through my work in an accounting office in the Netherlands, I experienced every day how important financial awareness can be. But my interest in financial literacy goes deeper than my work: growing up, I experienced from a young age what it means to have to find your own way.

Some places leave a lasting impression long after you’ve left. Not because of the buildings. Not because of the scenery. But because of the people. When I visited Ya Bana Village in South Africa, I met Mama Carina whose story reminded me that lasting change doesn’t begin with money or resources. It begins with a dream.

There has never been such a need for a new vision of life. The pandemic has changed our lives, not only in terms of the economy but also in how we live and how we want to live. Operating within the traditional economy imposes more constraints on personal freedom than ever before. How do you find a purposeful work life and live a balanced life?

It is becoming more common for companies to offer their employees volunteer days, so called Volunteer Time Off (VTO). An increasing number of companies are supporting their employees to commit during business hours. Volunteer with a non-profit organisation (NPO) for a few hours to a few days a year. How to get started and what should you consider as a company?

Has my career been a factor that made me decide to start FairestBnb? Has it been “handed to me by life” or has it been my “calling”? Has it been influenced by my work or has my personal life impacted my work? Where does my intrinsic motivation come from? Let me share a little story with you.

Non-profit organisations (NPO) are committed to a specific social cause or need of a community. They address issues where government and society have not been able to provide a sound solution. We at FairestBnb, are committed to supporting NPO’s to get closer to their goals. The question is: Do they want to be helped?

When asked why and for whom I started FairestBnb, I can’t really come up with an clear explanation. Also, I get questions like what my revenue model is and most importantly WHAT does it benefit for others. Do you want to know what it benefits you and why you should join FairestBnb? This is very challenging to explain, but I will try to….