Board members
Ginie Servant-Miklos
Dr. Ginie Servant-Miklos - Chair, 2015 - present, Founder (FR)
Martial Arts: 1st Dan Karate.
Ginie is an education expert and a martial artist with a background in NGO work and human rights, currently working as a Senior Lecturer at Erasmus University College, and a post-doc researcher at Aalborg University. Although originally from France, she has lived for extended periods in the UK and South East Asia, and is now based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. She has practiced a variety of martial arts since 2004, focusing mainly in shitoryu karate, southern style kung fu and French style kickboxing (savate). In 2014, she combined her experience in NGO project management, her passion for martial arts and her dedication to the cause of women’s rights to found FairFight. She now divides her time between her position as an education researcher at Aalborg University, her role as the founding Chair of FairFight, and her very special job as the mother of a baby girl. She has travelled to Zimbabwe in 2015 and 2016, and to India in 2016.
Martial Arts: 1st Dan Karate.
Ginie is an education expert and a martial artist with a background in NGO work and human rights, currently working as a Senior Lecturer at Erasmus University College, and a post-doc researcher at Aalborg University. Although originally from France, she has lived for extended periods in the UK and South East Asia, and is now based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. She has practiced a variety of martial arts since 2004, focusing mainly in shitoryu karate, southern style kung fu and French style kickboxing (savate). In 2014, she combined her experience in NGO project management, her passion for martial arts and her dedication to the cause of women’s rights to found FairFight. She now divides her time between her position as an education researcher at Aalborg University, her role as the founding Chair of FairFight, and her very special job as the mother of a baby girl. She has travelled to Zimbabwe in 2015 and 2016, and to India in 2016.
Emma Bouterse
Emma Bouterse - Secretary, 2015 - present (NL)
Martial arts: 2nd Dan Instructor Tang Soo Do.
Emma, born in Rotterdam, is an alumni of Erasmus University College with a decade of experience in martial arts. She has been practicing Tang Soo Do (a Korean form of martial arts affiliated to both Karate and Taekwondo) since she was twelve years old and holds a second Dan Black Belt. Emma observed that being involved in martial arts helped to discipline her, enlarge her (self)respect and self confidence and wants to spread this empowering feeling to anyone in this world, as no one deserves it to feel inferior, powerless or worthless. Moreover, having traveled to different countries and continents for competitions and championships, she witnessed that martial arts unites people in a beautiful way, creating a worldwide family of different people holding the same values. She has been involved in the Zimbabwe trips of 2015 and 2016 and this has made her belief in an equal world grow stronger and strengthened her passion for martial arts even more.
Martial arts: 2nd Dan Instructor Tang Soo Do.
Emma, born in Rotterdam, is an alumni of Erasmus University College with a decade of experience in martial arts. She has been practicing Tang Soo Do (a Korean form of martial arts affiliated to both Karate and Taekwondo) since she was twelve years old and holds a second Dan Black Belt. Emma observed that being involved in martial arts helped to discipline her, enlarge her (self)respect and self confidence and wants to spread this empowering feeling to anyone in this world, as no one deserves it to feel inferior, powerless or worthless. Moreover, having traveled to different countries and continents for competitions and championships, she witnessed that martial arts unites people in a beautiful way, creating a worldwide family of different people holding the same values. She has been involved in the Zimbabwe trips of 2015 and 2016 and this has made her belief in an equal world grow stronger and strengthened her passion for martial arts even more.
Floris Eland
Floris Eland - Treasurer 2017 - present, Volunteer coordinator (NL)
Martial Arts: 1st Dan Aikido.
Floris is a student at Erasmus University College. Born in Dordrecht with an extensive martial arts background, including a decade of Aikido and half a decade of boxing. Currently Floris holds a 1st Dan black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art. With experience as a teacher and a student in martial arts, he has witnessed the power a martial art can have on a child, or for that matter anyone. Respect for oneself and others, self-control and an increase in confidence are all examples of the things a martial art can teach you. The opportunity to help children everywhere grow motivated Floris to get involved with FairFight. Floris has been involved in organizing events and fundraisers. Floris travelled to Zimbabwe and India in 2016 and is now in charge of coordinating our volunteers.
Martial Arts: 1st Dan Aikido.
Floris is a student at Erasmus University College. Born in Dordrecht with an extensive martial arts background, including a decade of Aikido and half a decade of boxing. Currently Floris holds a 1st Dan black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art. With experience as a teacher and a student in martial arts, he has witnessed the power a martial art can have on a child, or for that matter anyone. Respect for oneself and others, self-control and an increase in confidence are all examples of the things a martial art can teach you. The opportunity to help children everywhere grow motivated Floris to get involved with FairFight. Floris has been involved in organizing events and fundraisers. Floris travelled to Zimbabwe and India in 2016 and is now in charge of coordinating our volunteers.
Alex Whitcomb
Alexander Whitcomb - Outreach officer 2017 - present, Founder (Zim / NL)
Martial Arts: 2 years kickboxing.
Alex is a business school graduate, currently the head of marketing, recruitment and admissions at Erasmus University College in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Born and raised in Marondera, Zimbabwe, Alex eagerly embarked on his first NGO adventure in 2014 as a co-founder and local coordinator of FairFight Zimbabwe. Despite having only trained two years in martial arts, he is an eager learner and enjoys kickboxing. Alex has coordinated the study trips to Zimbabwe in both 2015 and 2016, and has now rejoined the FairFight board as our Outreach officer for marketing, fundraising and more.
Martial Arts: 2 years kickboxing.
Alex is a business school graduate, currently the head of marketing, recruitment and admissions at Erasmus University College in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Born and raised in Marondera, Zimbabwe, Alex eagerly embarked on his first NGO adventure in 2014 as a co-founder and local coordinator of FairFight Zimbabwe. Despite having only trained two years in martial arts, he is an eager learner and enjoys kickboxing. Alex has coordinated the study trips to Zimbabwe in both 2015 and 2016, and has now rejoined the FairFight board as our Outreach officer for marketing, fundraising and more.
Local Partners
Gerald Muusha
Marondera, Zimbabwe
Gerald Muusha - Teacher and Coordinator
Martial arts: 4th Dan Karate
Gerald is a fourth Dan Shitoryu karateka born and raised in Zimbabwe and has been a national champion in karate several times. He is the core of all our projects in Zimbabwe. Without Gerald, both projects in Zimbabwe would have not been realized in the successful way they did. He has his own karate dojo in his hometown as well as in Marondera, the area FairFight has centered its projects. When we initiated FairFight in Marondera, Gerald continued to teach a group of around fifteen girls, having them do belt gradings and bringing them to competitions. At this very moment, Gerald teaches about 150 boys and girls every day at four different schools around Marondera : Nagle House, Springvale, Peterhouse Girls, Peterhouse Boys. The efforts of both FairFight and himself made it possible for Gerald to become a full-time karate teacher.
In April 2017, Gerald was able to travel to The Netherlands to spend time exploring a new karate teaching style and to experience the other martial arts that FairFight members practice. Currently, he is planning on organizing a tournament for International Women's Day in Zimbabwe at the end of 2017.
Gerald Muusha - Teacher and Coordinator
Martial arts: 4th Dan Karate
Gerald is a fourth Dan Shitoryu karateka born and raised in Zimbabwe and has been a national champion in karate several times. He is the core of all our projects in Zimbabwe. Without Gerald, both projects in Zimbabwe would have not been realized in the successful way they did. He has his own karate dojo in his hometown as well as in Marondera, the area FairFight has centered its projects. When we initiated FairFight in Marondera, Gerald continued to teach a group of around fifteen girls, having them do belt gradings and bringing them to competitions. At this very moment, Gerald teaches about 150 boys and girls every day at four different schools around Marondera : Nagle House, Springvale, Peterhouse Girls, Peterhouse Boys. The efforts of both FairFight and himself made it possible for Gerald to become a full-time karate teacher.
In April 2017, Gerald was able to travel to The Netherlands to spend time exploring a new karate teaching style and to experience the other martial arts that FairFight members practice. Currently, he is planning on organizing a tournament for International Women's Day in Zimbabwe at the end of 2017.
Prichard Zishumba
MKC Senpai, 1st kyu Karate
MKC Senpai, 1st kyu Karate
Devesh Verma
Varanasi, India
Devesh Verma - Teacher
Martial Arts: 1st Dan Karate
Sensei Devesh Verma is a first Dan in Shotokan Karate and FairFight local instructor for our India project. With the support of the AshaDiya Foundation and with FairFight equipment donations, Sensei Devesh coached the girls at Disha and our students at Asha in Varanasi under the watchful eye of his Shihan Sohan Kumar, 3rd Dan Shotokan. Devesh is an IT graduate who trains at Varanasi Martial Arts Academy in Sarnath. He organised a fundraiser for FairFight in India at the start of 2017.
Since March 2017, Devesh has been working closely with Heifara Danielson to learn about karate pedagogy and Budo.
Devesh Verma - Teacher
Martial Arts: 1st Dan Karate
Sensei Devesh Verma is a first Dan in Shotokan Karate and FairFight local instructor for our India project. With the support of the AshaDiya Foundation and with FairFight equipment donations, Sensei Devesh coached the girls at Disha and our students at Asha in Varanasi under the watchful eye of his Shihan Sohan Kumar, 3rd Dan Shotokan. Devesh is an IT graduate who trains at Varanasi Martial Arts Academy in Sarnath. He organised a fundraiser for FairFight in India at the start of 2017.
Since March 2017, Devesh has been working closely with Heifara Danielson to learn about karate pedagogy and Budo.
Pankaj Jain & Amit Kumar
Amit Kumar & Pankaj Jain - Training Assistants
Martial Arts: Karate
Martial Arts: Karate
Heifara Danielsson
Heifara Danielsson (FR/ Tahiti) - Disha Coordinator
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Karate
Heifara is a French national originally from Tahiti, with Polish and German ancestry. She has a background in History, Law and Education Sciences, and has taught at every level from pre-school to University. She has been practicing martial arts since she was six years old, and has obtained a 1st Dan in Kendo and a 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate. She passed the French national and federal instructor exam and ran two dojos in Tahiti with more than 100 students. In 2017, she was hired by our French partner NGO Act & Help to head the AshaDiya Foundation in Varanasi. She has been coordinating the Asha and Disha projects, empowering the girls by running trainings with a special focus on respect, humility, patience, courage and friendship, and helping Devesh on the path to Budo.
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Karate
Heifara is a French national originally from Tahiti, with Polish and German ancestry. She has a background in History, Law and Education Sciences, and has taught at every level from pre-school to University. She has been practicing martial arts since she was six years old, and has obtained a 1st Dan in Kendo and a 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate. She passed the French national and federal instructor exam and ran two dojos in Tahiti with more than 100 students. In 2017, she was hired by our French partner NGO Act & Help to head the AshaDiya Foundation in Varanasi. She has been coordinating the Asha and Disha projects, empowering the girls by running trainings with a special focus on respect, humility, patience, courage and friendship, and helping Devesh on the path to Budo.
FairFight members
Masters
Mark Caddy
Shihan Mark Caddy
Martial Arts: 5th Dan Karate, Zim 2016 & 2017.
Mark Caddy is a British fourth Dan karate master that has been training and teaching for several decades. We came in contact with him through Ginie, as Mark used to be her teacher at the University of Kent. Mark is a founding member of Jindokai martial arts association, a worldwide nonprofit group of martial artists. He coordinated the teaching in Zimbabwe in 2016 and made it possible for FairFight to become an official partner of Jindokai. Furthermore, he has played a leading role in the organisation and execution of Zimbabwe 2017, strengthening our ties with the Old Hararians, Jindokai and local communities.
Martial Arts: 5th Dan Karate, Zim 2016 & 2017.
Mark Caddy is a British fourth Dan karate master that has been training and teaching for several decades. We came in contact with him through Ginie, as Mark used to be her teacher at the University of Kent. Mark is a founding member of Jindokai martial arts association, a worldwide nonprofit group of martial artists. He coordinated the teaching in Zimbabwe in 2016 and made it possible for FairFight to become an official partner of Jindokai. Furthermore, he has played a leading role in the organisation and execution of Zimbabwe 2017, strengthening our ties with the Old Hararians, Jindokai and local communities.
Madeleine Papiernik
Shihan Madeleine Papiernik (FR / UK)
Martial Arts: 6th Dan Karate, India 2017
Madeleine Papiernik is a British national, born in Caracas, Venezuela. She was trained as a classical and contemporary dancer and worked for a number of years for dance-theatre companies in London. Mother of 3, she has also been a martial art practitioner and instructor for over 16 years. Initially trained in France in Shotokan karate, she followed her Sensei towards Jundokan Okinawa Goju Ryu. She has since traveled many times to Okinawa to visit masters at the Jundokan So Honbu dojo in Naha, Okinawa. During her last travels there, she was recently awarded her 6th Dan by the senior instructors of the Jundokan dojo.
Martial arts has taught her that the more you give and share your understanding, the more student and instructor grow together. What she loves about martial arts is that once the kimonos are on, everyone is equal. You enter an environment free-of-judgement, where everyone has the right and the power to succeed. This is why she believes it is important to share this art with young girls and boys from challenging backgrounds, and she is very grateful and happy to have this opportunity. Madeleine joined India 2017 alongside Lijnie, Wahing, Pearla and Laurent.
Martial Arts: 6th Dan Karate, India 2017
Madeleine Papiernik is a British national, born in Caracas, Venezuela. She was trained as a classical and contemporary dancer and worked for a number of years for dance-theatre companies in London. Mother of 3, she has also been a martial art practitioner and instructor for over 16 years. Initially trained in France in Shotokan karate, she followed her Sensei towards Jundokan Okinawa Goju Ryu. She has since traveled many times to Okinawa to visit masters at the Jundokan So Honbu dojo in Naha, Okinawa. During her last travels there, she was recently awarded her 6th Dan by the senior instructors of the Jundokan dojo.
Martial arts has taught her that the more you give and share your understanding, the more student and instructor grow together. What she loves about martial arts is that once the kimonos are on, everyone is equal. You enter an environment free-of-judgement, where everyone has the right and the power to succeed. This is why she believes it is important to share this art with young girls and boys from challenging backgrounds, and she is very grateful and happy to have this opportunity. Madeleine joined India 2017 alongside Lijnie, Wahing, Pearla and Laurent.
Wahing Lee
Master Wahing Lee (NL)
Martial Arts: 4th Dan Tang Soo Do, India 2017
Wahing is a 37 years old and father of a 1,5 year old baby girl. Married and living in Wateringen, he has have his own advertising and design company and he loves to teach Tang Soo Do (TSD), travelling and photography. His rank is currently 4th dan Master, World Tang Soo Do Association. He started my promotion for my 4th dan master in 2011 and after three exams he attained my 4th dan master in 2013. He is active as a board member of the NTSDA and since a few years he is also training in Hapkido when he has some free time. He teaches 8 hours per week to around 130 students. Currently he have around 32 active black belts, from 1st to 3rd dan. He also has participated in various regional and international competitions (Nationals, European, Worlds). He was excited to be part of the FairFight Team for India 2017 because helping others is in his DNA, and especially for this good cause where he could share his expertise in martial arts.
Martial Arts: 4th Dan Tang Soo Do, India 2017
Wahing is a 37 years old and father of a 1,5 year old baby girl. Married and living in Wateringen, he has have his own advertising and design company and he loves to teach Tang Soo Do (TSD), travelling and photography. His rank is currently 4th dan Master, World Tang Soo Do Association. He started my promotion for my 4th dan master in 2011 and after three exams he attained my 4th dan master in 2013. He is active as a board member of the NTSDA and since a few years he is also training in Hapkido when he has some free time. He teaches 8 hours per week to around 130 students. Currently he have around 32 active black belts, from 1st to 3rd dan. He also has participated in various regional and international competitions (Nationals, European, Worlds). He was excited to be part of the FairFight Team for India 2017 because helping others is in his DNA, and especially for this good cause where he could share his expertise in martial arts.
Lijnie Reijers
Shihan Lijnie Reijers (NL)
Martial Arts: 4th Dan Aikido, India 2017
Lijnie, born in Pekalongan Indonesia, has been training for two decades. She started practicing Aikido when she was a student in Belgium and currently holds a 4th dan black belt. Recently she also started practicing Muay Thai/kickboxing.
Through Floris Eland, Lijnie got in touch with FairFight and was deeply touched by its goal and way of working. Lijnie holds a postmaster degree in child psychology. Holding a level 3 NOC*NSF Aikido teacher degree, she has been teaching for a decade, both children as well as future instructors, and have been writing programs that benefit the empowerment of children in Holland. So it only seems logic to continue that work on an international level by joining FairFight. She shares the mission and vision of FairFight that through martial arts you can empower girls both on a physical as well as a mental level. Lijnie joined the India 2017 project, taught the Disha girls and did two seminars.
Martial Arts: 4th Dan Aikido, India 2017
Lijnie, born in Pekalongan Indonesia, has been training for two decades. She started practicing Aikido when she was a student in Belgium and currently holds a 4th dan black belt. Recently she also started practicing Muay Thai/kickboxing.
Through Floris Eland, Lijnie got in touch with FairFight and was deeply touched by its goal and way of working. Lijnie holds a postmaster degree in child psychology. Holding a level 3 NOC*NSF Aikido teacher degree, she has been teaching for a decade, both children as well as future instructors, and have been writing programs that benefit the empowerment of children in Holland. So it only seems logic to continue that work on an international level by joining FairFight. She shares the mission and vision of FairFight that through martial arts you can empower girls both on a physical as well as a mental level. Lijnie joined the India 2017 project, taught the Disha girls and did two seminars.
Martial arts volunteers
Pearla Papiernik
Pearla Papiernik (FR)
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Karate, Zim 2016, India 2017.
Pearla has been a martial artist for almost her entire life, and holds a first Dan black belt in karate. She is both French and British and studies at Bocconi University in Milan. We found in her an example of what we wanted all our FairFight girls to be: a strong, independent young woman that knows what she wants, is modest and brings out the best in everyone. The girls at Nagle House and anywhere else in Zimbabwe found their role model in Pearla, and the same goes for the girls in Varanasi. She has travelled to Zimbabwe in 2016 and India in 2017
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Karate, Zim 2016, India 2017.
Pearla has been a martial artist for almost her entire life, and holds a first Dan black belt in karate. She is both French and British and studies at Bocconi University in Milan. We found in her an example of what we wanted all our FairFight girls to be: a strong, independent young woman that knows what she wants, is modest and brings out the best in everyone. The girls at Nagle House and anywhere else in Zimbabwe found their role model in Pearla, and the same goes for the girls in Varanasi. She has travelled to Zimbabwe in 2016 and India in 2017
Krissi Silianova
Krissi Silianova (Bulgaria / Greece)
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Instructor Tang Soo Do, India 2016
Krissi is a second Dan black belt in Tang Soo Do from Greece who studies and lives in The Hague, the Netherlands. She participated in our first India project in July 2016, where she taught alongside Ginie and Floris at Asha and Disha in Varanasi. She has been involved in women’s empowerment prior to when she joined FairFight, and will continue to actively do so. Her main goals are to inspire young girls and women, and pass on the elements of martial arts further than merely physical capabilities. In addition to this, Krissi has started gaining experience with teaching children with disabilities in a supervised environment of Tang Soo Do – a unique experience which reflects how martial arts are not only about the physical capabilities of the person but also about actively motivating them to outreach their personal mental (and physical) barriers.
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Instructor Tang Soo Do, India 2016
Krissi is a second Dan black belt in Tang Soo Do from Greece who studies and lives in The Hague, the Netherlands. She participated in our first India project in July 2016, where she taught alongside Ginie and Floris at Asha and Disha in Varanasi. She has been involved in women’s empowerment prior to when she joined FairFight, and will continue to actively do so. Her main goals are to inspire young girls and women, and pass on the elements of martial arts further than merely physical capabilities. In addition to this, Krissi has started gaining experience with teaching children with disabilities in a supervised environment of Tang Soo Do – a unique experience which reflects how martial arts are not only about the physical capabilities of the person but also about actively motivating them to outreach their personal mental (and physical) barriers.
Nivedita Sarveswaran
Nivedita Sarveswaran (AUS / UK)
Martial Arts: 1st Dan Karate, Zim 2017
Nivedita is currently studying pain & genetics for my PhD at the University of Cambridge. Outside of the lab, she trains in Shorin-Ryu and Shotokan karate and joined the team in Zimbabwe 2017. Having started training as a shy young girl in a class full of grown men, karate showed her that she could match her peers in strength and skill through hard work and perseverance – a lesson she carried off the mat as well. She continued training throughout university, discovering the athleticism and mental resilience essential to sports karate, as well as the fierceness and technical fluency required of more traditional combat. While on the surface these traits may seem unique to the world of martial arts, they strengthen the body and mind in ways that inevitably help inspire self-confidence to make one’s way in the world. Martial arts communities also form support systems, lifelong friendships and encourage empathy and respect across all barriers.
Martial Arts: 1st Dan Karate, Zim 2017
Nivedita is currently studying pain & genetics for my PhD at the University of Cambridge. Outside of the lab, she trains in Shorin-Ryu and Shotokan karate and joined the team in Zimbabwe 2017. Having started training as a shy young girl in a class full of grown men, karate showed her that she could match her peers in strength and skill through hard work and perseverance – a lesson she carried off the mat as well. She continued training throughout university, discovering the athleticism and mental resilience essential to sports karate, as well as the fierceness and technical fluency required of more traditional combat. While on the surface these traits may seem unique to the world of martial arts, they strengthen the body and mind in ways that inevitably help inspire self-confidence to make one’s way in the world. Martial arts communities also form support systems, lifelong friendships and encourage empathy and respect across all barriers.
Katie Alexander
Katherine Alexander (UK)
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Instructor Tang Soo Do, India 2018.
Katie is a second dan black belt in Tang Soo Do based in the UK. She is passionate about building confidence in the vulnerable and using martial arts to express this through the ethos it teaches as well as what it brings physically to empower the individual. Katie has been doing Tang Soo Do for many years and competes internationally, where she recently met other members of the team in the Netherlands. She has previously been involved with local charities in the UK that empower underprivileged children and inspire through sport camps and other fundraising events. Today she works in healthcare with children with complex physical needs. Katie joined the FairFight team in India 2018 and aspires to continue advocating empowerment for women and vulnerable children.
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Instructor Tang Soo Do, India 2018.
Katie is a second dan black belt in Tang Soo Do based in the UK. She is passionate about building confidence in the vulnerable and using martial arts to express this through the ethos it teaches as well as what it brings physically to empower the individual. Katie has been doing Tang Soo Do for many years and competes internationally, where she recently met other members of the team in the Netherlands. She has previously been involved with local charities in the UK that empower underprivileged children and inspire through sport camps and other fundraising events. Today she works in healthcare with children with complex physical needs. Katie joined the FairFight team in India 2018 and aspires to continue advocating empowerment for women and vulnerable children.
Mary Stevens
Mary Stevens (UK)
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Karate, India 2018.
Mary is a teacher based at Oxford School of Martial Arts in the UK. Her main passion is teaching confidence and independence through a blend of martial arts and life coaching. She teaches students from 2 years old: building focus, self-discipline, leadership and teamwork. She also trains martial arts instructors and mentors the young Black Belts in their professional development. Over the last 25 years - in addition to 15 years of martial arts - she has taught history, English, all types of fitness plus competitive public speaking and debate. Her recent time in state education led to her protesting against the current system of cramming and testing which disadvantages the students who need most help from the education system. Returning to martial arts teaching full time has meant she has been able to focus on students’ purposeful individual development. Mary joined the India 2018 impact evaluation mission.
Martial Arts: 2nd Dan Karate, India 2018.
Mary is a teacher based at Oxford School of Martial Arts in the UK. Her main passion is teaching confidence and independence through a blend of martial arts and life coaching. She teaches students from 2 years old: building focus, self-discipline, leadership and teamwork. She also trains martial arts instructors and mentors the young Black Belts in their professional development. Over the last 25 years - in addition to 15 years of martial arts - she has taught history, English, all types of fitness plus competitive public speaking and debate. Her recent time in state education led to her protesting against the current system of cramming and testing which disadvantages the students who need most help from the education system. Returning to martial arts teaching full time has meant she has been able to focus on students’ purposeful individual development. Mary joined the India 2018 impact evaluation mission.
Sushma Sing
Sushma Sing (NL)
Martial Arts: 1st Kyu Karate.
Sushma Sing is 21 years old, from The Hague in The Netherlands. She did Judo and Karate in her younger years, and continued with Karate - for 15 years now and still counting. She studies Safety and Security Management Studies at The Hague University. Love, passion and happiness are very important to her, and giving something to others is an opportunity to learn more about yourself. Karate has taught her how to be and accept herself. Making people smile and confident is her passion, and that is the person she envisions to the girls in the projects we run. By traveling around the world she has learned a lot about different cultures. Sush will be helping out with various tasks in the day-to-day running of FairFight in the Netherlands and will hopefully be joining one of the projects after she takes her Black Belt, soon!
Martial Arts: 1st Kyu Karate.
Sushma Sing is 21 years old, from The Hague in The Netherlands. She did Judo and Karate in her younger years, and continued with Karate - for 15 years now and still counting. She studies Safety and Security Management Studies at The Hague University. Love, passion and happiness are very important to her, and giving something to others is an opportunity to learn more about yourself. Karate has taught her how to be and accept herself. Making people smile and confident is her passion, and that is the person she envisions to the girls in the projects we run. By traveling around the world she has learned a lot about different cultures. Sush will be helping out with various tasks in the day-to-day running of FairFight in the Netherlands and will hopefully be joining one of the projects after she takes her Black Belt, soon!
Volunteers
Mathieu van Kooten
Mathieu van Kooten - Multimedia & Technology (NL)
Zim 2016
Mathieu van Kooten is an alumni of Erasmus University College. After having made a few promotional videos for FairFight projects, he officially got involved in the charity. As Mathieu is passionate for making videos and websites, the charity is the perfect place to develop his talents. Mathieu is not particularly a martial artist, but still he loves being involved in the projects around FairFight. Mathieu has several years of experience in making websites and videos. Mathieu makes sure FairFight is well promoted throughout the Internet. Mathieu completely edited the 2016 documentary 'A Fair Fight' and in January 2016, he joined the Zimbabwe trip for research and as our dedicated photographer.
For information on the 2016 documentary 'A Fair Fight', contact the board to schedule a viewing.
Zim 2016
Mathieu van Kooten is an alumni of Erasmus University College. After having made a few promotional videos for FairFight projects, he officially got involved in the charity. As Mathieu is passionate for making videos and websites, the charity is the perfect place to develop his talents. Mathieu is not particularly a martial artist, but still he loves being involved in the projects around FairFight. Mathieu has several years of experience in making websites and videos. Mathieu makes sure FairFight is well promoted throughout the Internet. Mathieu completely edited the 2016 documentary 'A Fair Fight' and in January 2016, he joined the Zimbabwe trip for research and as our dedicated photographer.
For information on the 2016 documentary 'A Fair Fight', contact the board to schedule a viewing.
Myrthe Minnaert
Myrthe Minnaert - Impact Evaluation (NL)
India 2018
Myrthe Minnaert is a student at Erasmus University College. She was born and raised in the Netherlands, but has always had an international mindset. At EUC she studies International Relations and Philosophy. She sees every new bit of knowledge as an addition to her toolkit and doesn't want to sit and wait till she can start using it. That's why she is active in different organisations raising awareness about sustainability and inequalities. When she was in Varanasi in 2016, she saw the opportunities for FairFight there and was happy to be part of our trip to India in 2018 as our impact evaluator. During the two weeks there, she did interviews with the girls, the volunteers, Devesh and Heifara and helped us get a better understanding of what martial arts means for each of them.
India 2018
Myrthe Minnaert is a student at Erasmus University College. She was born and raised in the Netherlands, but has always had an international mindset. At EUC she studies International Relations and Philosophy. She sees every new bit of knowledge as an addition to her toolkit and doesn't want to sit and wait till she can start using it. That's why she is active in different organisations raising awareness about sustainability and inequalities. When she was in Varanasi in 2016, she saw the opportunities for FairFight there and was happy to be part of our trip to India in 2018 as our impact evaluator. During the two weeks there, she did interviews with the girls, the volunteers, Devesh and Heifara and helped us get a better understanding of what martial arts means for each of them.
Nora Chirikure
Nora Chirikure - Zimbabwe (Zim)
Nora is a student at Erasmus University College. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe. Although Nora is not a martial artist, she is interested in projects that promote sustainable development. In particular, the opportunity to help women and children emancipate themselves in the developing world motivated Nora to get involved with FairFight. As Nora is enthusiastic about organizing projects and connecting with people, the charity is the perfect place for her. Further, her linguistic and cultural knowledge of Zimbabwe makes her valuable member to the group.
Nora is a student at Erasmus University College. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe. Although Nora is not a martial artist, she is interested in projects that promote sustainable development. In particular, the opportunity to help women and children emancipate themselves in the developing world motivated Nora to get involved with FairFight. As Nora is enthusiastic about organizing projects and connecting with people, the charity is the perfect place for her. Further, her linguistic and cultural knowledge of Zimbabwe makes her valuable member to the group.
Simone Punzo
Simone Punzo - Treasurer first FairFight board, years 2015-2017 (IT)
Zim 2015, 2016 & 2017
Simone Punzo is an alumni at Erasmus University College with an extensive traveling background that has allowed him to visit approximately 45 countries. Being born in Italy and raised in Germany and Switzerland through international schooling, Simone has developed an open mind and passion for different cultures and backgrounds. He initially came into contact with FairFight on the first Zimbabwe trip with the two co-founders; Alex & Ginie. The idea to travel and to begin fixing a problem on an institutional level motivated Simone to become part of the management team of FairFight. He has travelled to Zimbabwe three times for FairFight and his bachelor thesis research in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In Autumn 2017, Simone left for a gap year in Australia.
Zim 2015, 2016 & 2017
Simone Punzo is an alumni at Erasmus University College with an extensive traveling background that has allowed him to visit approximately 45 countries. Being born in Italy and raised in Germany and Switzerland through international schooling, Simone has developed an open mind and passion for different cultures and backgrounds. He initially came into contact with FairFight on the first Zimbabwe trip with the two co-founders; Alex & Ginie. The idea to travel and to begin fixing a problem on an institutional level motivated Simone to become part of the management team of FairFight. He has travelled to Zimbabwe three times for FairFight and his bachelor thesis research in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In Autumn 2017, Simone left for a gap year in Australia.
Laurent Masson
Laurent Masson - Former Public Relations & Social Media (FR / NL)
Martial Arts: Tang Soo Do, 8th Gup, Zim 2015, India 2017.
Laurent Masson is an alumni of Erasmus University College. He was born in France, lived in Singapore and The Netherlands, and extensively traveled around the world. This made him constantly aware of the challenges different countries face. Laurent has always been interested in martial arts, trying everything that came his way: Capoeira, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Self-Defense and Kickboxing. Being part of Ginie’s Kickboxing class, he developed an interest in the project. He was part of the team that traveled to Marondera Zimbabwe for the first FairFight project in January 2015. In 2017, he was project coordinator for the trip to Varanasi, India in January. Thanks to his experience as a Social Media manager and marketing team member at EUC, Laurent developed the necessary skills to take the lead in the social media & PR promotion of the project. In Autumn 2017, Laurent left for a gap year in Australia.
Martial Arts: Tang Soo Do, 8th Gup, Zim 2015, India 2017.
Laurent Masson is an alumni of Erasmus University College. He was born in France, lived in Singapore and The Netherlands, and extensively traveled around the world. This made him constantly aware of the challenges different countries face. Laurent has always been interested in martial arts, trying everything that came his way: Capoeira, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Self-Defense and Kickboxing. Being part of Ginie’s Kickboxing class, he developed an interest in the project. He was part of the team that traveled to Marondera Zimbabwe for the first FairFight project in January 2015. In 2017, he was project coordinator for the trip to Varanasi, India in January. Thanks to his experience as a Social Media manager and marketing team member at EUC, Laurent developed the necessary skills to take the lead in the social media & PR promotion of the project. In Autumn 2017, Laurent left for a gap year in Australia.
Iris Bos
Iris Bos (NL)
Martial arts experience: 2 years kickboxing, Zim 2015.
More info to be coming soon
Martial arts experience: 2 years kickboxing, Zim 2015.
More info to be coming soon
