Overview of projects to which the Elema Fund Foundation has contributed
2026:
- Helpt u Hopen, PKN Nigtevecht
- St Lukes Hospital
- Lamin Health Centre
- Subisiso Rehabilitation Centre Tanzania
- Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation
2025:
- Helpt u Hopen, PKN Nigtevecht
- Stop Poverty Foundation
- FloJa Malawi
October 2026
Helpt u Hopen, PKN Nigtevecht
It all started in 2000. The former diaconate of PKN Nigtevecht established the project “Helpt u Hopen?” with the aim of financially supporting AIDS orphans so that they can attend school, giving them a chance to learn to read and write. The project is located near Masaka, Uganda. There are currently 85 orphans in the project. It costs €85.00 per year to enable one child to attend school for one year. The funds for this come from sponsors, private donations, and organized fundraising campaigns. There is a reliable contact person in Uganda, and the money goes directly to the cause. The school principal and deputy principal are closely involved in the project. Evaluations also take place. A newsletter is published once a year.
In the meantime, much has been done. In 2010, teachers’ accommodation was built by a group of Nigtevechters. During the week, the teachers can live close to the school and do not have to walk for miles or use paid transport. A teacher’s salary is minimal.
In addition to school fees, the children also receive a meal. Land has been purchased where they learn to grow vegetables and fruit. It is an extra curriculum to learn to become self-sufficient. The children also learn to cook and handicrafts. We have been working on a goat project for some time, but due to climate change and logistical problems caused by Ebola, this has been delayed somewhat. The goats are now temporarily at another farm where there is enough grass. After primary school, most children go to work at home because there is no money for further education.
Information is provided on personal hygiene and body development. This subject is difficult to discuss. Attention is also paid to the fact that girls are “in charge” of their own bodies. In 2025, sanitary pads were distributed to the girls; this was a huge success! As was soap, for washing clothes and for personal hygiene. It brings many out of their isolation!
Containers have been placed at school where plastic must be deposited; plastic is a major problem, but fortunately, more and more people are becoming aware of this.
More information can be found at: https://kerknigtevecht.nl/organisatie/helpt-u-hopen.
September 2026
St Luke’s hospital
St. Luke’s hospital is a rural hospital in the southern region of Malawi. It delivers healthcare to a region with over a million inhabitants. The hospital supervises 5 health centres is the rural area. Chilipa health centre is one of these health centres, and has been providing basic health care for over 50 years now.
The health centre is run by a medical assistant, and one or two nurses/midwives. The staff houses at the health centres are quite basic; in Chilipa, they are extremely worn out. To maintain proper standards of care, the staff needs to be quartered properly. Two new staff houses have been developed, but due to the very poor economic situation in Malawi, the construction could not be completed. The Elema foundation contributed a substantial support, through which the project can now be finalized.
You can view the most recent progress report here Chilipa progress report 2 St Lukes 2026.
More information can be found at Stichting St. Luke’s Hospital Malawi.
April 2026
Outreach Program for Preventive Healthcare in The Gambia
Lamin Health Center is a non-profit primary healthcare facility in Kombo North (The Gambia), providing care to over 33,000 patients annually, including more than 7,000 children. However, many people in surrounding villages reach the hospital too late. Due to poverty, limited knowledge of diseases, and the absence of preventive healthcare, patients often seek medical help only when symptoms become severe. As a result, conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and malnutrition are frequently detected at an advanced stage.
Thanks to the support of the Elema Fund, Lamin Health Center is able to implement a structural Outreach Program. A mobile team visits surrounding villages four days a week to provide free screenings and basic care. The program focuses on early detection of chronic diseases in adults, nutritional support for pregnant women, and the identification and treatment of acute and moderate malnutrition in children.
Each year, at least 3,800 people will be screened. Patients identified as at risk are referred to the health center, with the goal that at least 60% will attend follow-up consultations within two weeks for further diagnosis and treatment. All patients are registered and actively followed up to ensure continuity of care.
In addition to medical services, the program provides education on nutrition, hygiene, vaccinations, and disease prevention. Close collaboration with local leaders, schools, and religious institutions ensures strong community engagement.
Thanks to the Elema Fund, this program not only enables direct access to care but also contributes to sustainable improvements in healthcare in the region. Increased patient inflow and integration into the hospital budget will allow the Outreach Program to become fully self-sustaining within three years.
More information can be found at: Lamin Health Center.
Februari 2026
A mobile clinic for Sibusiso for CBR activities in Maji ya Chai
Sibusiso is a specialized rehabilitation center in Arusha, Tanzania. Since 2000, the foundation has been providing accessible, tailor-made programs for children and young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome or microcephaly.
Sibusiso’s approach is integral: they work with the child, the parents and the community. They offer therapy, education, social skills and guidance towards an independence life. With tailor-made programs, Sibusiso literally and figuratively gets children moving – and gives families hope and something to hold on to.
Because the demand for help is unabated, and not all children and their families can be reached or the families are unable to come to the center due to distances, Sibusiso will start a pilot in the community of Maji ya Cha in 2026 where they will bring rehabilitation services directly to the community with a mobile clinic. In this way, it works closely with families, caregivers, community leaders, schools, health institutions and local government structures. Through this community-oriented approach (CBR), Sibusiso ensures shared responsibility,
Januari 2026
Strengthening Holistic Care for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ethiopia
Since 2022, the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation has been working in Ethiopia in close partnership with local organisations to strengthen care for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. In a region deeply affected by years of conflict, the Mukwege Foundation supports survivors by improving access to holistic, survivor-centred care and reinforcing local health and psychosocial networks. This ensures survivors receive the medical, psychosocial, legal, and socio-economic support they need to rebuild their lives.
Building Local Capacity
This project focuses on the Tigray region, where we strengthen the capacity of medical and psychosocial professionals working in one-stop centres, including Ayder One-Stop Centre. These centres play a critical role in responding to survivors’ urgent needs, but they face persistent gaps in resources and specialised expertise—particularly in medico-legal documentation, which is essential for recognition, accountability, and access to justice.
Ethical, Survivor-Centred Documentation
Through targeted training, mentorship, and practical support, healthcare and psychosocial staff are equipped to document cases of sexual violence ethically, safely, and in a survivor-centred manner. Participating centres also receive essential medical supplies and documentation materials, strengthening both the quality and sustainability of services.
By reinforcing professional capacity and service infrastructure, the project not only improves survivors’ immediate access to care but also ensures that critical information is preserved for potential future claims to justice, reparations, and healing.
More information can be found at Home – Mukwege Foundation.
November 2025
Helpt u Hopen, PKN Nigtevecht
It all started in 2000. The former deacons of the Protestant Church in Nigtevecht (PKN) established the “Help U Hopen?” project to financially support AIDS orphans so they can attend school. This project is located near Masaka, Uganda. Currently, there are 85 orphans in the project. It costs €85.00 per year to send one child to school for one year. This funding comes from sponsors and private donations, and fundraising activities are organized. There is a trusted contact person in Uganda, and the money goes directly to the project. The school’s principal and vice-principal are closely involved in the project. Evaluations are also conducted. A newsletter is published annually. Much has been accomplished since then. In 2010, a group of Nigtevechters built a teacher’s residence. During the week, the teachers can live close to the school and don’t have to walk for miles or use paid transportation. The teacher’s salary is minimal.
Besides school fees, the children also receive a meal. Land has been purchased where they learn to grow fruits and vegetables. This is an additional curriculum to help them learn to become self-sufficient. The children also learn cooking and crafts. A goat project is currently being set up, all with a future in mind. After primary school, they will work from home because there is no money for further education.
Information is provided on personal hygiene and bodily development. This is a difficult topic to discuss. Attention is also paid to the fact that girls are “in charge” of their own bodies. Containers have been placed at school where plastic must be disposed of; plastic is a major problem, fortunately more and more people are becoming aware of this.
More information can be found at https://kerknigtevecht.nl/organisatie/helpt-u-hopen.
Oktober – December 2025
Stop Poverty Foundation
Maternal and child health care in Uganda
The Elema Foundation Fund has made a significant contribution to the realization of the Maternity clinic and child health clinic in Kangulumira, Kayunga district, Uganda. The Elema Foundation was established in memory of Riekje, one of the Elema sisters, who was passionate about healthcare in Africa.
The medical equipment and supplies were purchased with a generous contribution. There was still a substantial deficit in the budget, but the Elema Foundation made the opening possible on November 19th, in the presence of 500 villagers, patients, and interested parties. This clinic will save many lives of pregnant women and (unborn) babies.
Early in the morning, many pregnant women gathered for ultrasound scans. A large number of mothers with babies just a few months old gathered in front of the child health clinic. Babies were weighed, their charts were updated, and many babies received vaccinations. At times, as many as 25 pregnant women at the same time would crowd the doors of the gynaecologist’s office and the ultrasound room.
In the afternoon, village leaders and medical officials gave numerous speeches praising this wonderful project. The Maternity Clinic was described as the finest and best-equipped medical facility within a 40-kilometer radius.
More information can be found at www.stop-poverty.org
September 2025
FloJa Malawi
FloJa Malawi is a foundation in northern Malawi (Karonga District). Our foundation focuses on providing essential education, nutritious meals, and contributing to healthcare. In 2024, FloJa Malawi, together with the Karonga District Hospital, established an outpatient clinic for people with chronic illnesses (diabetes and hypertension). This clinic has made chronic care accessible to people in the Nungwe/ Ngara community.
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and sickle cell disease are a huge problem in Malawi. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), 35% of people in Malawi die from complications of a chronic condition.
The good news is that with prevention and treatment, complications (and thus death) can be prevented.
It is important to expand the outpatient clinic to also treat people with asthma and sickle cell disease. Thanks to the support of the Elema Fund, we are able to expand the outpatient clinic.
The donation will be used to train healthcare staff in the conditions of asthma and sickle cell disease, discussing not only drug treatment but also non-drug options. Prevention days will be organized to identify patients. During these days, everyone can be examined and ask questions. In addition, the outpatient clinic will be expanded to accommodate the increasing number of patients.
This expansion of the outpatient clinic will have a huge impact on the Nyungwe/ Ngara community. Because care can be provided close to the community, more people will use it and fewer people will experience symptoms or complications from their disease. This will improve their quality of life.
The most recent evaluation report is attached: Verslag Floja Elema Fonds
More information can be found at www.flojamalawi.nl