About us
Education for life, not just for a living.
Bon Timoun makes education possible for disadvantaged children in Haiti, with extra attention to character building, self-confidence and good citizenship. Giving talent a chance, and keeping children from drifting into crime.
Our aim, from the articles of associationThe Bon Timoun Foundation aims to contribute to the development of the most disadvantaged children and young people in developing countries, in particular Haiti.
Katinka van Lamsweerde
Co-founder and vice-chair
Shortly after the 2010 earthquake, Katinka went to Haiti as a volunteer. There she met Mr Joseph, who had started a school under two tents a year earlier. In 2011, together with young Haitians, she set up ABC de la Vie, for children who were too poor to go to school.
Until 2020 she travelled to Port-au-Prince several times a year to train teachers. Now there is daily contact with the schools, from a distance.
“A child who can go to school, gets fed and learns skills is less vulnerable.”
Who we are
We are a group of socially engaged people from the Netherlands and Haiti. After years of working together and building trust, the foundation was set up in the Netherlands in 2018 so that we could keep supporting the three schools in Haiti. The board are unpaid volunteers.
Every euro reaches the classroom
Every euro goes directly to the children. Nothing is skimmed off along the way, and the board are unpaid volunteers.
In touch with the schools every day
We are in daily contact with the head teachers and teachers, and know them personally. So we know exactly what is going on.
How it began
2009
Mr Joseph starts a school under two tents in Torcelle. He has 63 pupils, a patch of grass and no money.
2010
Shortly after the earthquake, Katinka van Lamsweerde goes to Haiti as a volunteer. She meets Mr Joseph.
2011
Together with young Haitians, Katinka starts ABC de la Vie, for children who are too poor to go to school.
2018
Lalita de Goederen joins the trip. On 5 July the Bon Timoun Foundation is founded. The second EMNJ school opens in Galette Greffin.
Lalita de Goederen with children of ABC de la Vie. 2019
EMNJ-1 gets its own site and its own school building, with seven classrooms.
2020
A well is dug in Galette. Guerline Recule Valcin becomes head of ABC. The training continues online.
2024
Gangs close the schools. In April two reopen; Katinka talks about it on the Dutch NOS Radio 1 news. Over the summer the schools stay open.
2026
730 children, three schools, a Saturday Club in Tabarre and summer schools in four places. The annual budget is not yet fully funded.