program
An address by Comrade Justine Ijeomah – Executive Director, Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF).
Introduction: Human Rights, Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF) is a grass root independent non-governmental organization which has being in operation since 2008 and heartily devoted to the protection of the:
- Rights and privileges of the down-trodden and less privileged.
- Rights and privileges of the Nigeria child.
Background of Event
This event is organize in the memory of Magdalena De Vries a 94yrs old Lady from Netherlands, who cares a lot about people around the world (she has lived for years in Asia and till death took care of many people, their children and grand children.
Magdalena de Vries was born on 1 October 1916 in the Netherlands.
She got married and the couple had four children and four grandchildren.
Magdalena has always had a strong sense of justice and tried to fight injustice where possible.
When for example Jewish friends had to go into hiding during the Second World War, she took their daughter in her house and pretended she was a niece.
Also later, when the family moved to Asia for her husband’s work, she volunteered in several organizations, helping people who needed support. The family lived for more than 13 years in Indonesia and until her death she has supported her Indonesian friends and their children and grandchildren whenever necessary. In particular when anyone was in trouble, they could always count on her.
One of her initiatives, was educating young Indonesian woman on birth control, which in the 50s was quit a revolutionary thing to do!
She always tried to help other people; for example in the years that the rice yields were low, she bought kilos of rice when the price was still low. Once the prices were very high and people with little money around her started to struggle to buy rice, she would sell them the rice again at the same price level she bought it for.
Wherever the family lived, they always opened their home for other people. Children of Indonesian friends who came to the Netherlands for schooling as well as a nephew moved in with the family-some for years.
After all children were adults and move out, the couple lived and worked again for several years in Asia (Indonesia and South Korea).
They retired in the Netherlands where they spent their last years surrounded by children and grandchildren, as well as friends. And they continued to support those who needed it.
Magdalena de Vries died on 28 July 2011, almost 95 years old. Many people were touched by her goodwill and ongoing support and trust. As herself put it “if someone needs help, you have to share what you yourself have. You just have to do this.
Right to life support program
HURSDEF has extended her benevolence to the Nigeria children supporting the indigent children and Woman especially those in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In this rights to life support programmed, beneficiaries have received vaccine, maternity bills of some pregnant mothers/girls paid for and received other gift items. Today, we present Gift of children toys, clothes, shoes, food stuff many woman items as part of right to life support.
This is little way (HURSDEF), want to put smile in the faces of children and women.