Wiljo Oosterom lives and works in the Netherlands and in Africa. She founded the Foundation and directs all projects. In the Netherlands she is supported by a large number of volunteers, boardmembers and others; in Africa she cooperates with different reliable individuals and experts.
Together with Demba Abou Ba she founded Silent Work West Africa. Wiljo Woodi considers herself as a silver link in a golden chain.
All projects will start only when sufficient reliability and financial means are present and the projects will be entirely up to the local population. The starting-point is always: every human being, where ever in this world, has a right to self-reliance and independence of others to be able to lead his daily life. In whatever connection: family, group or community.
For children this means even more: each child with whatever talent, disposition, or abilities, has a right to develop towards an independent existence. Thus, communication is the primary condition, next to peace, safety, care, nutrition and housing.
For children from warzones like Rwanda this requires aid to process their traumatisation and special provisions to dare coping with life again.
In relation to the development of basic trust with all involved the way of working of Silent Work signifys: to respect and appreciate the requirements and values in these parts of Africa, which are point of departure, next to respect for requirements and values in our culture. The connection between mutual cultures, input and dedication, lead to good results.
68 succesfull and completed projects and 54 current projects, offer hope for the future.
For further information you can buy the book ‘Niets is wat het lijkt‘ (Nothing is what it seems to be) or consult the extended Dutch (annual) report of Silent Work.
