Berendina Schipper Andersen for 2021 World Pulse Spirit Award

My name is Agatah Kimanzi from Kenya and I am nominating Berendina Schipper Andersen for 2021 Spirit Award. 

A few months ago I posted my education journey here on this platform and undying desire for college education, unbeknownst to me that later on I would meet Berendina through my mother , who works for her as a housekeeper. 

She is a good listener, I must say and easy to hold a conversation with, she allows you to be vulnerable if need be because her space just feels the safest. Her eyes beemed with love, empathy and kindness. She promised me help with my college journey to study abroad. True to her word, as I peck on my phone right now, preparations are underway so I may  join Wartburg College, Iowa, this spring.

I would later on learn that, she has been educating needy and orphaned students in Kenya since 1998. The 61-year old Medical Doctor, now a consultant for businesses setting clinics for employees, was inspired by the enormous needs that surrounded her then and now. The need for education by needy students and deplorable conditions those children lived, characterised by extreme poverty levels. Love, kindness and her burning desire to transform the community led to setting up an orphanage and center for needy children as well as vocational training project. 

Her journey has not been smooth either, she has had to deal and still dealing with numerous challenges, major ones being the growing number of students versus the limited resources she has from her own pockets and donors. There has been also a big challenge to infuse technology due to lack of internet and computers. This has led to less community policy and development education hence resulting to girls still dropping out of school due to early marriages and menstrual periods.

These challenges have continued to inspire her to push beyond limits and to do more for the community here in Kenya. One of her future plans in line with sustainable development goals is to continue advocating for development and rights of women and children as well as as creating awareness among the poorest and building bridges between people after retirement. 

To you dear sweet, kind Berendina, thank you for simply loving us and this community in general, thank you for the inspiration and being the light that lights our dark paths. Thank you for being a mother and a sister to many. Thank you for your selfless sacrifices and raising above every challenge to put a smile on everyone you meet in your life. We love you back.

Berendina Schipper Andersen

Medical Doctor and Consultant,Kenya.

bea@mtelgon.com