In 2005, Marnix Huis in ‘t Veld and Maureen Kromowirjo quit their jobs to work as volunteers in Kenya in an already established orphanage. However, the situation in Kenya appeared more harrowing than expected.
Marnix and Maureen met during university studying for the same degree in Human Relations Management at de Hogeschool van Rotterdam en Omstreken. Marnix then worked as a management consultant and Maureen as a recruitment advisor.
When they arrived in Kenya in 2005, they quickly realised that there was an enormous need for additional accommodation for the estimated two million orphans in the country. Very often these children live in appalling conditions in one of the many slums, often with grandparents who are too old to look after them, or with family in family groups that are far too large to care for them properly. In bad health, without secure family situations and without education, the future can look rather dire for these children. Within little time, Marnix and Maureen began making plans for a new orphanage.
Today, the children’s home is home to 56 children. We also have a number of activities that enable us to support ourselves and we help thousands of other children in the surrounding slums with our education programme. In the Netherlands, Macheo is supported by the Macheo Nederland foundation.
Marnix Huis in ’t Veld is the Managing Director of Macheo in Kenya. After several years working in Kenya, co-founder, Maureen Kromowirjo, returned to the Netherlands and is on the Board of the Macheo Nederland foundation.