In 2019, José Schraauwers founded the Bakasso Foundation with the goal of improving access to medical care for pregnant women in Guinea. José and her Guinean partner purchased a large parcel of land in the remote area of Kolissohko in 2014 to build a maternity clinic. Despite facing many challenges along the way, they have continued to pursue their vision with their own financial resources. The maternity clinic will create a safe place for the woman to receive medical care during pregnancy and delivery. It will also provide education on topics such as nutrition, hygiene, and family planning. The Bakasso Foundation needs your support to make this project a reality and to make a difference in the lives of these women and their families.
When I stood between the buildings in 2017, I knew: It's still a lot of work, but we will get there step by step.
Jose Schraauwers
Have a look at the progress we made:
At Bakasso Foundation, we are committed to promoting the health of women and babies in Guinea. We strive to ensure everyone in Guineas has a safe birth and a good start in life.
The Bakasso Foundation is committed to providing quality healthcare and employment opportunities to the Guinean communities. We are constructing a hospital to be run solely by Guineans, to improve the quality of their lives and make a lasting chance for the ones that needs it most.
Despite the drawbacks that Jose and her husband have been facing since they bought the land in 2014, they have constantly been pushing their boundaries for this project to be a success for Guinean communities.
Chairwoman
“I am the founder of this beautiful foundation. In addition, I also work full-time as a TV producer at AVROTROS of art documentaries for Close Up. Together with my partner, we have two daughters. I used to work in health care, first as a doctor's assistant and EKG lab technician, and later I led the non-invasive Cardiology research department in the former AZU, the current UMC.”
Secretary
“I work in healthcare. In addition to my job as a nursing teacher, I am also a career counselor. I have experience as a manager in setting up new departments and as a project manager within the healthcare sector. I guided a trip to Ethiopia for aspiring nurses several years ago and saw how unfair it is divided in the world. I am proud that I can contribute to this beautiful project in Guinea.“
Treasurer
I have known José and her husband for years, so I have closely followed the initiative and the developments of the plan. The issues surrounding medical care in African countries are close to my heart. I am happy that I can now actually contribute to this. Through my work as an arranger and choral conductor, I have an extensive network in the central and northern Netherlands, which I would like to use for this.
The Bakasso Foundation has been selected for the I DO project of the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) for the period 2021/22. The ‘I DO Project’ connects 5 ambitious and open-minded second-year international business administration students and their third-year coach with a Dutch NGO. The students use their strategic knowledge 8 to 10 hours a week and actively contribute to strengthening the position of the Bakasso Foundation. Welcome Ryan Deng, Dorotea Igrec, Elise Imbaud, Nikolaus Stern, Tim van der Voorden, and of course their coach Fenna van Geloven.
