Let us introduce ourselves -
Hello there. We are Iris Hamels (25) and Sophie Koster (26), and we are the founders of the Nova Onda Foundation. Why this name? Because Nova Onda means New Wave in Portuguese, which is what we see ourselves as: the new wave of thinking in aid for disadvantaged people and communities.
You see, in 2022, we spent time conducting a research project in the local hospital of Santo Antão in Cape Verde. Over the course of our work, we witnessed the challenges communities there face accessing healthcare and important medical resources over rugged landscapes that leave them exposed and vulnerable to sickness and disease.
By working closely with local partners and involving community members, we aim to create long-lasting, self-sufficient projects that empower communities and transform healthcare access and outcomes. This ambition was the basis for our 2023 project, From Bystander to Rescuer. But with our drive and enthusiasm, we wanted to achieve more, so the idea of the Nova Onda Foundation was born in January 2024.
What we doOur Board
Find out more about the people who form the core of our foundation.
Advisory Board
We collaborate with a host of local advisors and experts who provide us with
valuable insights.
Our support
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