The Ton Memorial School Sailung Foundation is a young, small, ambitious foundation and full of energy. The foundation was established in 2018 in memory of Ton van den Brink. We are committed to the construction of a new school building and the preservation of the school in Sailung, Nepal. The foundation consists of a board and volunteers in the Netherlands and a local team in Nepal.
The board and volunteers of the Ton Memorial School Sailung Foundation currently consists of relatives and friends of Ton van den Brink.
Born and raised in Blaricum, after working for 15 years at Sikkens Akzo Nobel, working for almost 25 years as VP Research International at Fast & Fluid Management in Sassenheim. It's great that, now that I'm retired, I can help my brother-in-law Ton realize the dream.
My name is Jeannet Diteweg. I am married to Marcel and I work as a Gz psychologist and system therapist at the Mental Health Care in my hometown.
My name is Jan Schouw. Ton was my best friend; we have known each other since the 2nd high school class. And have never lost sight of each other since then. I was trained as a biologist and have been active in the world of sustainability for almost my entire working life.
As an independent reintegration expert and coach I have been very involved with people all my life.
It feels good to be able to do something for the foundation that was set up in the name of "best mate" Ton.
I like to use my life experience and network for the community in Sailung, to keep Ton's dream alive.
My name is Ans Post born and raised in Blaricum. I was Ton van den Brink's wife for 41 years. Together we had our beautiful daughter Anne.
My name is Anne van den Brink and I proudly contribute to this foundation. All my life I have had a special bond with Nepal. Good friends of mine are originally from there. At an earlier age I did not only know
With great admiration, I saw how my uncle Ton was committed to building a school in Nepal. He was a beautiful person and was always there for everyone, without judgment or expectations.
I am Marcel Wielenga and active as a volunteer in the foundation. Since 2001 we have been strongly involved in Nepal as a family and we were able to sponsor Krishna and other children in their education.
Lok Bahadur Shrestha, Krishna Shrestha is the founder of Kids Learning English School Sailung, Dolakha, also pronounced as KLES Krishna was born and raised in the remote Sailung area of Dolakha district of Nepal. Krishna graduated from Kathmandu with a master's degree in social work. After his studies, he worked for several organizations that help people, especially children with disabilities, to give them better education and thus a better future. During his studies he helped the other children in the hostel where he lived with their homework. This was his first teaching experience. After a few years he returned to the village where he became and is considered to be the first villager to receive a “real” education. In consultation he started to teach a group of children in his house. From various ranks, as well as in conversations with Ton, he was asked to start a “real” school because the local education was very limited. He and his wife took up this challenge, resulting in the current situation.
Makar is one of the most successful entrepreneurs of Sailung VDC. He works hard and owns the “largest” store in the area. He started his business with 5 Nepalese rupee, which equals approximately 4 euro cents. Many of his affairs rely on good faith. When people don't have the money to pay him, because they have a seasonal occupation, they can buy goods on account with him.Makar is one of the active members of the KLES Ton Memorial School Sailung. He knows how to motivate people and has great problem solving skills.
Shyam Shrestha is the Vice President of the School Board of the Kids Learning English School, Ton Memorial School Sailung Nepal. He has a small grocery shop on the road opposite the entrance to the school. He is actively involved in all matters surrounding the school.
Lok Bahadur Shrestha (Krishna Shrestha) after completing his Social Work studies he went back to his native village to teach children who wanted to learn English. In the school board he fulfills the role of secretary and contact person with the foundation in the Netherlands. Krishna keeps the board informed of all current and future affairs. Contact with the Netherlands is usually in English via WhatsApp, often several times a week with texts, photos and videos.
Shanti Shrestha has a dual role within the KLES. In addition to her role as treasurer, she is also one of the teachers of the school. She maintains contact with the parents regarding the payment of the school contribution for the children. If necessary, payments will be accepted later due to limited resources outside the harvest season.
After obtaining her master's degree in mathematics at Kathmandu University, she taught at the Kathmandu Kids Learning Center for 3 years. This is a school for children with disabilities.
Saphal Shrestha is one of the youngest board members of our school. He works at a greengrocer's in Kathmandu. Every month he travels to Sailung to visit his family and to contribute to the school.
Mina Shresta general board member. As a mother of 2 children, she is very much involved in the development of the school in the village.
Savitri Shrestha is a general member of KLES Ton Memorial School Sailung. She is also chairman of the village's women's group. The women's group regularly meets with themes such as saving where they discuss how they can save 50 Rupies = 40 Eurocents per month. Lots of help to motivate each other.Shrestha - Śrēṣṭha * - is a Nepalese surname meaning "noble" or "great" in Sanskrit.[* wiki] Shrestha may also refer to the Newar caste of Shresthas who formed the ruling and administrative castes of Kshatriya castles in the court of the Malla kings of Nepal prior to the unification of modern Nepal. There are more than 50 castes families with the name Shrestha known in Nepal and are very common in the Sailung area and surroundings.
