MEET OUR TEAM
Executive Board
Kees van den Broek
Secretary
Secretary@cerebralpalsyafrica.eu
Trained as a physiotherapist I worked for 7 years on developing a CBR program in a rural area in Southern Africa. After that I joined the Liliane Foundation, a Dutch INGO on inclusion. I served as the Executive Director for 12 years, until retirement. Thereafter I’ve led a pilot to develop intervention tools for CP within CBR programs, with a specific focus on coping capacities for caregivers.
Huib Cornielje
Chairman
Chair@cerebralpalsyafrica.eu
Huib Cornielje was trained as physical therapist in The Netherlands. He worked for 10 years in rehabilitation programmes in a rural and slums in South Africa. He obtained an MSc and a Higher Diploma in Adult Education at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He obtained an MPH from the Netherlands school of Public Health. He worked for over 20 years at the University of Applied Sciences in Leiden (the Netherlands). Since 1999 he is director of Enablement and is involved in training, research and development in the field of disability and rehabilitation. Huib is committed to help the Foundation Cerebral Palsy Africa to further develop into an organisation that is delivering much needed and the best possible training, support and information to rehabilitation professionals, fieldworkers and parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities including children with Cerebral Palsy.
Yvonne Vleeshouwers
treasurer
Yvonne Vleeshouwers (1971) is a notary in Rosmalen and is mainly concerned with family and inheritance law. She also teaches law at a University of Applied Sciences. She has three children, the oldest of whom has multiple intellectual disabilities. She has been a member of the Supervisory Board of the Liliane Foundation.
Boardmember@cerebralpalsyafrica.eu
Advisory Board
Dr. Anneloes Overvelde
Paediatric physiotherapist
Anneloes Overvelde is an experienced paediatric physical therapist in the Netherlands. Since 2012 she is connected as lecturer in the paediatric master course for physical therapists at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Together with the physioteam of Gondar she has set up a train-the-trainer program for Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and Community Based Rehabilitation workers (CBRs). Goal of this program is to train HEWs and CBRs on screening, identification and basic rehabilitation in children with disabilities. In the coming period, this training will be implemented as extra module in the governmental curriculum for HEWs by the Federal Ministry of Health in Ethiopia. Anneloes feels committed to children with disabilities. She is eager to participate in CPA!
Angelique Kester
Paediatric occupational therapist
Angelique is an experienced occupational therapist with 20 years of experience of working in a pediatric rehabilitation centre, home-based learning programmes and daycare centres. She works fulltime for Enablement and Liliane Foundation in the field of community-based rehabilitation in low- and below middle-income countries: capacity building, development of tools and research as a senior advisor rehabilitation and childhood disability.
She also founded the Butterfly Basket Foundation in Vietnam and has been providing capacity building projects there for thirteen years. Recently this foundation has merged into Cerebral Palsy Africa. Her passion is to work with families and colleagues on the ground, getting voices heard and needs met.
Marian Fransen
Paediatric speech therapist
I have been following and admiring the work of CPA for a long time. I therefore, consider it an honor to serve on the CPA advisory board. I would like to use my knowledge and experience to help think along with other highly experienced people within CPA how to further increase knowledge and understanding of disabled children and their families. To hopefully contribute to improving the quality of life of disabled children and their families in Africa.
International Advisors
Njeri Maria
Founder Njeri Maria Foundation – Dignity Through Inclusion
Njeri Maria is a Diversity advocate, social inclusion expert and trainer. She is the founder of Njeri Maria Foundation – advancing the lives of children and adults with cerebral palsy and their families in Kenya. Professionally, She is a graduate with a bachelor of community development. Her passion is in working with people – capacity building and enhancing their livelihoods, largely contributing to Community based intervention for people with different abilities (disabilities).
She is involved with Leonard Cheshire, 2030 and Counting project as lead citizen reporter and is an advisory to many organisations including DFID Youth advisory panel. She is focusing on health, education, gender benchmarked on strong institutions.
Maria lives a beautiful fulfilling life with Cerebral Palsy and dreams of simplifying the lives of people with cerebral palsy in the world. She is also known as the Nece-sassy Noisemaker – influencing a positive narrative and inclusive society for persons with disability.
Mrs. Hannah Awadzi
Executive Director Special Mothers Project
The Special Mothers Project is a registered advocacy and awareness creation programme on Cerebral palsy and issues affecting families raising children disabilities.
The project has established an online community of families raising children with Special Needs and provides professional counseling support as well as peer counseling, sharing and exchange of information and ideas regarding the raising of children with Cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
The project also provides a referral guide for families needing various services for their children with cerebral palsy and organizes training sessions for parents.
The Special Mothers Project uses the mainstream media as well as social media for its awareness creation and Advocacy programmes.
Website: www.specialmothers.org