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When the mayor of Isabela revealed with
regret the miserable plight of this poor constituents, the unbearable
reality of their lives touched kees koelman’s heart that he decided, right
there and then to begin the project. Thus, after non-stop construction and
work, in a few months time, thirty families belonging to the poorest of
the poor of Isabela, especially the olds ones who worked throughout their
lifetime but still couldn’t afford to have a decent home, were given their
own dream houses! You should have seen the joys in their faces and feel
the gratitude in their hearts. “I’m not interested in the selection of
beneficiaries. I don’t even know |
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their names. But it’s a nice feeling to be
able to help” reveals Kees. Each of us have a purpose in this world. My
mission, I believe, is to finish the 500 houses. I came to the Philippines
for retirement. I fell in love with the country, and I fell in love with
Isabela , the town where my wife is from. Filipinos are very, very nice
people. It brings me joy and happiness to be able to help “says the
philanthropist. “This whole project comes straight from the heart. I’m not
expecting anything in return, just a big smile and a happy people. It’s
priceless!” he adds.
Kees Koelman grew up in a closely knit and deeply religious catholic
family. His family was extremely poor. He was born 2 years after World War
II, when Holland was bombed by the Germans and in their house they have
nothing. “We were even poorer than the poorest here in Isabela” recalls
the philanthropist. Unlike here in the Philippines where there are only
two seasons, back in Holland we have four seasons, and come winter time,
we shiver during extreme cold, and we need to. Dekeling congressman iggy
Arroyo, and PAGCOR. His only daughter, singer, composer and model aliya
parcs, likewise donated 10 houses. “But that is just the beginning. I want
this village to be complete in everything---a small first aid clinic,
piggery, plant nursery and thriving business “plans the visionary, who
named the village, “ASENSO VILLAGE” which means progress. Asenso Village
was born out of a dream, a dream to help the homeless Filipinos have
decent shelter, and a home which they can call their own and whose
sturdiness will withstand time.
The project started out with the proposal to develop the Giant Cross of
Isabela at the “Glory Hill” as a tourist destination, in which his
brother-in-law, the late councilor rudy parcon spearheaded. However,
DENR’s restriction due to possible landslide prompted the koelman couple
to focus on a more meaningful task – a permanent home for those who could
never afford to have one.
Read more
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(click Map of Negros
Occidental to see
full size) |
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More projects finished
More project to come! |
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Explore
the world of Asenso Village |
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Asenso Village
Vision to
help poor people
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