Meet The Board
Please meet the board members of the AFRIpads Foundation. This team of dedicated volunteers tries to raise awareness and funds to enable girls and women in Uganda to go to school or to work every week of the month!
Esmee van der Ven
Chair
Hello! My name is Esmée and since 2024 I am part of the board of Afripads Foundation. I have a background in Political Science and International Relations. My career is in philanthropy, where I used to work with charities across the world in the fields of international development, climate and environment and human rights. Currently I work for an environmental NGO.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Jane Goodall: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make”. I find it really important to also dedicate my private life to make a positive change in the world. Being a woman myself and as a mum of a daughter, I wish every girl a future in which they can achieve their full academic potential, and manage their periods with dignity. Therefore I am really grateful that I am part of the AfriPads Foundation board.
Laura Honders
Secretary & Communications
Hi, my name is Laura and since the beginning of 2025 I am involved with the AFRIpads Foundation board. I have a background in anthropology and development studies and expertise in the sexual and reproductive health and rights of people in vulnerable positions. I know AFRIpads and their work from the time I worked at Liliane Fonds and lived in Uganda for a couple of months. Jointly with the Ugandan partner of the Liliane Fonds we worked on inclusive menstrual health communication and products.
Lucas Gmelig
Treasurer
Hi, my name is Lucas. Since the summer of 2022, I am proud to be part of this dedicated board. I work for the Dutch Charity Lotteries as Relationship Manager. My focus is in projects related to art and cultural heritage. Besides work, I think it is important to contribute to a better world. Ten years ago with a friend, we started an organization with the goal of bringing elderly people together; unfortunately, due to Covid 19, we had to stop our activities. Nevertheless, it gives me time for new challenges, and being a board member for the AFRIpads Foundation is one of them. With a very important vision and mission! The problems of access to affordable menstrual health products is a worldwide problem, so even though the foundation has worked largely in Africa, we now see more and more girls and women in other parts of the world which we wouldn’t expect who are also without access. Even in Western Europe. So I’m interested to see what our role as a foundation nowadays could be. Could we play a part to deliver our knowledge and products to other parts of the world? That is now my goal for the foundation to reach more girls and women. Join us?
Hans Spaan
Fundraising & Partnerships
Hi, my name is Hans, and I have a background in international business. Through my experience working in international and multicultural environments, I have witnessed firsthand how equity and equal opportunity are essential to empowerment.
In many parts of Africa, girls continue to face significant barriers to education — one of them being menstruation. This challenge must be addressed. It not only holds back these young women but also limits the progress and potential of the African continent as a whole.
Investing in education drives economic growth and prosperity. By ensuring that all women have the opportunity to learn, we create a better future — not only for them, but for their communities and countries as well.
Sølvi Hart
Social media support
Hi, my name is Sølvi and I am very happy to be a part of the AFRIpads Foundation team! With my background in social media I am glad I can contribute to spreading the word about this great cause. I recently moved from the city center of Amsterdam to the countryside and my partner and I are expecting our first child. Carina and Sanne happen to be family as my partner, Bas, is their son and brother! Growing up in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, Norway, I never realized what a privilege it was to be able to go to school every day of the month and always have plenty of sanitary pads at hand. Now I know this is not the case for a lot of young schoolgirls. Let’s change that!