|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
 |
look for wood for fire to
heat our home up. My father was a baker, working as a
humble employee for a bakeshop while my mom was a nurse
during the war. But after the war, she had to stop working
in order to raise us, her six children. She is still alive
today at age 97, and even does her own shopping.
Through good education and handwork, Kees Koelman overcome
the odds and rose to the ranks and was recognize as one of the top
salesman of different multinationals, and being one of the most admired
businessman, he ably speaks French, English, Dutch and German. |
|
| |
|
After being at the
pinnacle of his corporate career, he decided it was time to put up his own
business, with the goal of retiring ten years after. Thus he and his
partner started a humble computer sales business with only one employee,
his wife, Portia. She then didn’t know how to speak Dutch but she was the
Girl Friday of the company, which grew to be a conglomerate in a few years
time. Their company, Marketech
sold computer products, services and computer education
courses.
After ten years, and with 150 employees, true to his word,
Kees retired. “I have already reached my target. I sold it
to three of our young and promising employees. I even
facilitated the sale in the bank. These three kids became
owners of a profitable business enterprise overnight. It
was my goal to retire with my family in the Philippines.
“Retire as you are still able to go around, travel and
enjoy life” he says. Kees dad was a very devout
catholic. His uncle, Fr. Cornelius Koelman is a missionary
priest of the Millhill Congregation assigned here in the
Philippines. He so loved the Philippines that he decided
to spend the remaining years of his life in his parish at
Oton Iloilo, and even chose to be buried there. His other
aunt is a nun of the Holy Heart congregation assigned in
Jakarta, while his other uncle is also a MillHill
congregation priest.
“We should help one another” instead of the typical crab
mentality of some Filipinos, says the Philanthropist who
was hurt when news circulated that they are just doing
these kind deeds for their own political ambition.
“I have no plan of running in the election. Most
importantly, I am not even a Filipino” says the Dutchman
“and my wife has no intention of running either” he adds.
The Koelman legacy will live on for generations. Fame,
power and money will fade with time. More than being
illustrious, primarily their family name will be embedded
in the hearts and minds of the hundreds of homeless whose
lives they have touched as they gave them hope for a
better life. Kees & Portia Koelman started as that spark
of hope for these poor, and collectively, with the
generosity of more benefactors, 500 houses, a home for 500
families totaling close to six thousand individuals, will
be in completion as they will live their new decent lives
under the guiding light of the Koelman legacy, carrying
with them new hope and a bright future. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
(click Map of Negros
Occidental to see
full size) |
|
| |
More projects finished
More project to come! |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
Explore
the world of Asenso Village |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
Asenso Village
Vision to
help poor people
|
|
|
