Dutch monkey zoo Apenheul was the unique venue for Women on Wings’ 10th anniversary event on Monday September 25, 2017. Over 120 guests enjoyed an inspiring event which was centered around 10 years of Women on Wings impact. It also saw the launch of the 10 lessons by founders Ellen Tacoma and Maria van der Heijden.
The living proof
Durga Yadav lives in a village in Rajasthan and works at Women on Wings’ business partner Sadhna. Durga accepted the challenge to travel to the Netherlands to be an example to her daughters and other women in her village. An income has given her the opportunity to create a better life for her family. Durga’s daughter is studying to become a doctor, a huge change in just one generation.
Creating sustainable change and jobs
Anjali Schiavina, founder & CEO at Mandala Apparels from Pondicherry, shared why she enjoys the partnership with Women on Wings. Says Anjali: “The uniqueness of Women on Wings is that they don’t come and tell us what to do. Instead they challenge us to become a better version and take ownership. This way sustainable change is created, resulting in more job opportunities.”
Sharing inspiring stories
Other speakers were Jan Engels, who shared why DHL Express funded Women on Wings in the early days. Ineke Bezembinder touched the audience with her personal story about how living in India for Women on Wings impacts her and her family’s life. Irene Koel inspired the audience with her insights on happiness and fulfillment and Lieve Declercq showed how corporates can contribute to impacting people and planet, sharing the live example of Water for Life, a Vitens progam.
10 lessons
Women on Wings’ founders Ellen Tacoma and Maria van der Heijden took the 10 years’ journey as a momentum to write down their 10 most vital lessons of starting, running and handing over Women on Wings.
