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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.
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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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