Introducing...

Chair Haaije Postma

"From 2006 - 2008, I lived in Mongolia with Astrid and our children. As a logistics manager, I worked in the capital Ulaanbaatar and in remote areas in the Gobi desert with and for a group of geologists. As a result, I worked frequently and intensively with many Mongolians. What has stayed with me most is that in addition to tremendous hospitality, the people know how to hold their own in exceptional climatic and very difficult conditions. While we were living in Mongolia, I was able to open the health clinic in Sogog, partly thanks to many donations from the Netherlands. I hope that in my role as chairman, I can make a positive contribution to improving the living conditions of the disadvantaged population in Sogog and its surroundings”

Treasurer Thea Bongertman

"In 2007, my husband and I visited Astrid and Haaije in Mongolia. Coming from Mali, where we lived and worked, we saw huge differences (temperature and culture) but also similarities, the enormous adaptability of nomads to survive in extremely difficult conditions. What a beautiful country! With the views over the vast plains and the impressive mountain ranges. But the true beauty of the country resides in the people, who welcomed us hospitably in their wonderfully heated yurt. As treasurer, I want to commit myself to the proper management and spending of donations"

Secretary Astrid van der Looij

“Next to my freelance work as an HRM Consultant, I came into contact with the steppe nomads in Sogoog and its surroundings in 2006. With financial help from the Netherlands, I started supporting the local communities in their development activities. During my time in Mongolia, I visited Sogoog and its surroundings in Ulaankhus District three times and each time I was struck by the hospitality and warmth of the nomadic herdsmen and families. It is also a beautiful natural area with a tremendously rich culture! In September 2016, I had the opportunity to visit the steppe nomads again; it was like coming back to family.”

Board member Jackie van de Walle

“As a Geography lecturer at university, I have always had a keen interest in Mongolia's geography. In May 2024, I got the chance to experience this breathtaking country for myself. What immediately struck me was the impressive vastness of the landscape. The endless steppes, mountains and untouched nature left a deep impression on me. But it was not just the landscape that enchanted me, it was especially the Mongolian people. Such welcoming and friendly people are rare to come across. Their culture and the way they interact with nature and each other touched me deeply. My experience in Mongolia further enriched my perspective on geography. It is therefore an honour for me to share my knowledge and experience and contribute to improving the living conditions of the steppe nomads and herders in Mongolia.”

 

 

How it started

The origins of the foundation go back to 2006 when the current directors lived and worked in the capital of Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar). Through friends who also lived there, they came into contact with the steppe nomads and herdsmen of the village of Sogog in the far west of the country. These nomads and herdsmen were (and still are) extremely driven to develop their own region and wanted a kindergarten for their young children. There was none, because the Mongolian government mainly invested in other regions. The local population organised itself with an elected board to represent the various interests and needs of the community. Since 2011 this organisation is called NGO Source of Steppe Nomads.

The kindergarten was built and in 2016 we celebrated the 10th anniversary on site! So much more has happened and developed in those ten years, mainly due to the unwavering involvement and financial support of donors in the municipality of Bennekom led by Geert Postma, father of our former and current chairman. He wanted to provide direct support to development initiatives of the local population in the fields of education, agriculture and health. Between 2007 and 2013, more than € 60,000 was donated to the board of Source of Steppe Nomads and a warm relationship has been built with each other. In 2013, the foundation Friends of Steppe Nomads Mongolia was established in the Netherlands and we continue the work based on the same objectives and motivation.