About - Mpilo Foundation

Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe there is a lack of clean water and electricity. Women and children must walk for miles to get drinkable water and the power grid is absent or unreliable. We help schools, children’s homes and remote villages to obtain clean water and electricity using Solar Energy technologies.

PBO (Anbi)

Mpilo Foundation is recognized by the Dutch tax authorities (Belastingdienst) as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO, or ANBI in Dutch). Donations to Mpilo Foundation may be tax deductible (conditions apply). For more information, consult the Belastingdienst website.

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Every donation, however small or large, will be put to good use to help the people in Zimbabwe. Use the button below to find out more.

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current projects

Rehabilitating 14 boreholes

Pilot: 6 boreholes

Murimbika Village

board

Albert Nijland, MD PhD, Chairman

Albert Nijland has worked as a tropical doctor at the Mpilo hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe from 1984-1987 . In 1991, he was a Registrar/Lecturer at the Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA), near Pretoria, South Africa. As a volunteer he has always remained connected to Africa.

Jaco van den Hoek, MD, Secretary

Jaco van den Hoek has been a pediatrician at the Saxenburgh Medical Center since 2001. He recognizes the sharp contrast between the unprecedented luxury and prosperity in The Netherlands and the situation in many other places in the world, such as Zimbabwe.

Berto Broeksema, Treasurer

Berto Broeksema has been working as a manager in the healthcare sector since 1992. He is struck by the difference between the health care system in the Netherlands and the situation in Zimbabwe, on the other hand, which is simply terrible. The importance of investing time and energy improving these circumstances seems obvious.

volunteers & Associates

Joel Kasunungure

Joel Kasunungure is passionate about developing underdeveloped villages by helping to provide basic needs, such as water and electricity. He holds a degree in procurement and shop management., and is also a professional in the hospitality industry.

Gift Sanyamahwe, Projects Director

Gift Sanyamahwe is a 25-year-old entrepreneur who has an interest in piggery and crop farming. Besides working for Mpilo Foundation, Gift has worked with the Inspire Women Men and Children trust, helping rural communities in the Umguza District.

Belinda Malandu, WASH officer

Belinda Malandu is a technician with a history of working in the WASH industry. She is an engineering professional in Water and Waste Management focusing on Water Sanitation and Hygiene, trained at The Institute of Water and Sanitation Development.

Angel Dube

Angel Dube is a 28 year old Information Management and Community Development professional with a Master’s Degree in Development Studies. She is a compassionate person who strives to aid vulnerable groups in society.

Ellen Nijland-Demmer

Ellen Nijland has lived in Zimbabwe and South Africa with her husband Albert from 1984-1987. They have worked together in general practice for 25 years. In 2018, she stood at the cradle of the Mpilo Foundation. Her contacts with local Zimbabwean women are invaluable.

Laban Thimo

Laban Thimo is a Kenyan who is passionate about utilizing renewable energy for communities who are not yet connected to the national grid. He holds a Master’s degree in Energy Technology (Renewable Energy) and is currently a PhD candidate at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Ivona Birlad

Ivona Birlad is a 21-year old student at Rotterdam School of Management. While completing her BSc in International Business Administration, she came into contact with Mpilo Foundation through the I DO course, mostly focusing on expanding the reach of the organisation and increasing engagement on social media.

Thulani Gumbo, Matabeleland representative

Thulani Gumbo was born in a rural town in Lupane, district of Matabeleland North, a province rich in nature and natural resources. He attended primary school at SIbangani, and secondary school at Mabhikwa High. Following the completion of his O Level he has worked in several different hotels, before becoming self-employed as an entrepreneur based in Victoria Falls.

The four criteria

Sustainable facilities

We don’t give money, but we support projects with sustainable solutions for water and electricity, using Solar Energy.

Small-Scale projects

First we visit a project to establish need and necessity. We also look at the transparency and stability of the project organization.

Local Involvement

We prefer to work with local suppliers for the facilities. We also provide local guidance on implementation.

Annual Visits

We return to our projects every year. We discuss progress together with the local organization. We remain involved for 3 to 5 years.

I Do: involving students with mpilo foundation

collaborating for a positive impact

With its I DO program, Rotterdam School of Management (part of Erasmus University) partners a globally operating NGO with a number of International Business Administration students for a year.

The students are involved with, among others:

Brand Awareness & Social Media
Fundraising
Internal structure of Mpilo Foundation
Execution of projects by Mpilo Foundation

Students are invited to engage with the board about these topics, and to get involved by executing tasks themselves. Apart from Mpilo Foundation, five other NGO’s take part in the I DO program.

More information: