Community Center Project in Peru is een initiatief van Wereldouders dat wij met de SEM Foundation ondersteunen
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Start van duurzaam landbouwproject

De afgelopen maanden zijn er veel ontwikkelingen geweest in het Community Family Center in Peru! Het is fantastisch om te zien hoe zowel de 17 gezinnen als al de 32 kinderen groeien en zich verder ontwikkelen.

In deze update nemen we je mee in de diverse activiteiten van de afgelopen periode, zoals gezondheidschecks en bijlessen voor de kinderen, en het starten van een duurzaam landbouwproject.

De zeventien gezinnen die we nu ondersteunen krijgen individuele begeleiding van een sociaal werker en psycholoog. De gezinnen hebben doelen opgesteld binnen de 5 thema’s en daar werken we samen aan. Naast de individuele begeleiding waren er de afgelopen maanden gezamenlijke workshops op het gebied van persoonlijke financiën, gezonde voeding en mentaal welzijn.

Alle 32 kinderen van de gezinnen kregen een grote gezondheidscheck en een bezoek aan de tandarts. Met deze controles houden we in de gaten welke kinderen er extra aandacht nodig hebben op het gebied van gezondheid.

De kinderen krijgen 4x per week bijles op het gebied van rekenen en taal. Dit gebeurt op een speelse manier, zodat de kinderen vooral ook plezier hebben en werken aan hun sociale ontwikkeling.

We hebben samen met de gezinnen moederdag gevierd & de gezinnen krijgen nog steeds aan het eind van elke maand een voedselpakket!

Het duurzame landbouwproject is van start gegaan! Op dit moment doen er 17 gezinnen mee. Ze hebben samen de landbouwgrond klaargemaakt, het irrigatiesysteem geïnstalleerd en hebben nu allemaal een tijdelijk eigen stukje grond waarop ze voedsel kunnen verbouwen voor zichzelf en de verkoop.

We zijn ontzettend trots op de voortgang van het Community Family Center in Peru, een initiatief van Wereldouders dat wij al enkele jaren ondersteunen. Samen met Wereldouders maken we een verschil in het leven van 17 gezinnen door deze succesvolle initiatieven.

Family Community Center Project in Peru is een initiatief van Wereldouders dat wij met de SEM Foundation ondersteunen
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Support for Stichting Progreso’s new project in Ivory Coast

We are proud to announce that the SEM Foundation has been supporting a new initiative in Ivory Coast since June 2024. The project will have a sustainable impact on the lives of small-scale cocoa farmers.

Ivory Coast: the world’s largest cocoa producer

Ivory Coast is the world’s largest producer of cocoa. Nevertheless, small-scale cocoa farmers are struggling due to last year’s poor harvest, caused in part by climate change. Low incomes mean they can hardly invest in their land to increase resilience to climate change.

Goal of the project

Stichting Progreso, an NGO that focuses on professionalizing coffee and cocoa cooperatives in Africa, Latin America and Asia, will carry out various activities with the support of the SEM Foundation to sustainably improve the income position of these farmers.

Main activities

Training of cooperatives: Improving internal organization and financial management so that they can provide better services to farmers, access financing and realize better prices.

Innovative mushroom project: Growing mushrooms from cocoa husks, now considered a waste product. With the right techniques, these husks can be used to grow mushrooms, generating additional income for farmers.


Climate resilient agriculture: Support to grow climate resilient crops to secure their future income. Roll out reforestation projects around the plantations to increase their resilience to diseases and extreme weather conditions.


Rejuvenation of cocoa trees: Implementation of pruning techniques to rejuvenate cocoa trees. Younger trees provide better cocoa quality, higher yields and less risk of disease.


We are excited about this collaboration and the opportunities it offers to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire. We look forward to sharing the progress of this project with you and seeing the positive changes it will bring.

Working together, we’ll make a difference!

Project Ivory Coast
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Steun voor nieuw project van Stichting Progreso in Ivoorkust

Met trots kondigen wij aan dat de SEM Foundation sinds juni 2024 een nieuw initiatief ondersteunt in Ivoorkust. Het project zal een duurzame impact hebben op het leven van kleinschalige cacaoboeren.

Ivoorkust: ’s werelds grootste cacaoproducent

Ivoorkust is de grootste producent van cacao ter wereld. Desondanks hebben de kleinschalige cacaoboeren het moeilijk door de slechte oogst van afgelopen jaar, mede veroorzaakt door klimaatverandering. Door de lage inkomsten kunnen zij nauwelijks investeren in hun land om de weerbaarheid tegen klimaatveranderingen te vergroten.

Doel van het project

Stichting Progreso, een NGO die zich richt op het professionaliseren van koffie- en cacaocoöperaties in Afrika, Latijns-Amerika en Azië, zal met steun van de SEM Foundation diverse activiteiten uitvoeren om de inkomenspositie van deze boeren duurzaam te verbeteren.

Belangrijkste activiteiten

  1. Training van coöperaties Het verbeteren van interne organisatie en financieel management, opdat zij betere diensten kunnen verlenen aan boeren, toegang krijgen tot financiering en betere prijzen kunnen realiseren.
  2. Innovatief champignonproject Het kweken van champignons uit cacaoschillen, die nu als afvalproduct worden beschouwd. Met de juiste technieken kunnen deze schillen worden gebruikt om champignons te telen, wat extra inkomsten genereert voor de boeren.
  3. Klimaatbestendige landbouw Ondersteuning om klimaatbestendig te telen om zo hun toekomstig inkomen veilig te stellen. Uitrol herbebossingsprojecten rondom de plantages om de weerbaarheid ervan tegen ziekten en extreme weersomstandigheden te vergroten.
  4. Verjonging van cacaobomen Implementatie van snoeitechnieken om cacaobomen te verjongen. Jongere bomen zorgen voor betere cacaokwaliteit, hogere opbrengsten en minder kans op ziekten.

De SEM Foundation is enthousiast over deze samenwerking en de mogelijkheden die het biedt om de levensomstandigheden van cacaoboeren in Ivoorkust te verbeteren. We kijken ernaar uit om de voortgang van dit project met jullie te delen en de positieve veranderingen te zien die het zal brengen.

Samen maken we een verschil!

Met vriendelijke groet,
SEM Foundation

SEM Foundation steunt nieuw project van Stichting Progreso in Ivoorkust
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Successful SEM Foundation golf tournament raises €25,134 for Community Center development in Peru

On a beautiful sunny day, a group of enthusiastic golfers gathered at the green golf course de Turfvaert in Rijsbergen for the SEM Foundation Charity golf tournament. The SEM Foundation golf tournament was not only a great day full of sporting challenges but this year also had the goal of raising funds for the community center in Peru with which the SEM Foundation had started a project last year. Thanks to the efforts of the participants and generous sponsors, a whopping €25,134 was raised.

Last year, the SEM Foundation, in partnership with Wereldouders, launched an initiative to renovate a community center in Peru. A year later, we researched the current needs within the community. This research showed that there was a great demand for professional support in the area of social-emotional development and family strengthening. Therefore, the amount raised will be used to hire a psychologist and social worker, who can develop new programs to meet these needs. With the appointment of a psychologist and social worker, the community center in Peru will be able to provide even better support to the local population.

Thanks to the contribution of all sponsors and participants, the community center in Peru can continue to grow and develop. It is an important step towards a better future for the local population, where social-emotional development and family strengthening are central. The SEM Foundation is proud of the results achieved and looks forward to the implementation of the new programs.

Once again, the SEM Foundation thanks all participants and sponsors for their support and commitment. Together they have made a difference and shown that communities worldwide are connected. The success of the golf tournament gives hope and strength to those in need.

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Running for the SEM Foundation through all weathers!

Although it was a rainy Sunday, on 6th of October there was another running event for the SEM Foundation. During the Singelloop in Breda, 19 people (employees of The Chocolate Family, family and friends) ran the 10K. Despite the rain, these 19 runners not only achieved an athletic performance, they have also collected an amount of  €3350 for the SEM Foundation! All in all, it was a very joyful day. Thanks to everyone for their contribution!

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SEM Foundation spreads its wings to Peru

The SEM Foundation announced to support a 2nd initiative in collaboration with the Rabobank Foundation. The SEM Foundation will provide €75.000 working capital to the Asociación de Productores Kemito Ene (Kemito), which is a cooperation in the Peruvian Amazone, active along the Ene river (East of the Andes).

Currently the organization has 290 members. Kermito produces high quality cacao and expects to export 120MT this year (vs. 90 ton last year) thanks to the support of the SEM Foundation.

Kemito buys all the cacao ‘wet’ (in baba) from its members, after which they process to dried cacao beans in their 15 collection centres. This means that the members of the cooperation don’t need to invest in expensive processing equipment. Even more important, this gives  Kemito the opportunity to closely monitor the processing of the cocoa beans and ensure the quality of the processed cacao.

Kemito has the support of a loyal buyer who is closely involved with the organization and pays a fair price for the cocoa (3 times higher than the price that they get when selling locally).

Besides the financial support Kemito also works together with Progreso (provider of technical assistance) to increase their productivity and expand their network of potential buyers.

Due to this initiative more cocoa boans can be bought from the farmers at a fair price, which results in a higher quality of life for the farmers and their communities.

For more information on Kermito, please visit: www.kemitoene.com

 

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2nd edition of SEM Foundation Charity Golf Tournament big success!

On Friday 14th of June the 2nd edition of the SEM Foundation Golf Tournament was organized at De Turfvaert in Rijsbergen. It was once again a successful and joyful day where all 32 golfers played in teams according to the Texas Scramble principle. The weather was great and we have been able to enjoy the sun during the entire day! After 18 holes we ended the day with a drink and barbecue and the prices were awarded to the winners.

During this day we have raised an impressive amount of more than €8.500, which will be used to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities. We would like to thank all sponsors and participants for their contribution to this special day. We hope to see you all back again next year!

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Scoring for the SEM Foundation!

On Friday 8th of June the SEM Foundation Golf Tournament was organized at De Turfvaert in Rijsbergen. In total 39 golfers participated, who all played in teams according to the Texas Scramble principle. It was a perfect day for playing 18 holes and at the end day the sun even showed up. During this day we have raised an impressive amount of more than €5000, which will be used to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities. Once again, we would like to thank all sponsors and participants for contributing to this special day. We hope to see you all back again next year!

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In action for SEM Foundation!

On Sunday 8th of April, employees of Ickx, Dragee, Rosenberg and Pralibel have supported the SEM Foundation by running the marathon of Rotterdam. During this day, 23 runners ran the marathon in different teams. It was a fantastic day with lots of sunshine! During this day €9.500 was raised for the SEM Foundation. With this donation, new initiatives can be supported to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities.

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The next event is also planned and will take place on Friday 8th of June 2018. On this day, a Charity Golf Tournament will be organized for the SEM Foundation. If you would like to participate or contribute in any way, please send an email to info@semfoundation.org.

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SEM Foundation supports cocoa farmers in Indonesia

The SEM foundation has announced to support a first initiative since the establishment end of 2016. In cooperation with the Rabobank Foundation, the SEM Foundation will provide working capital to the Koperasi Kerta Semaya Samaniya (KSS) cooperative in Indonesia.
Koperasi Kerta Semaya Samaniya is located in the province of Jembrana in West Bali. There are many agriculture activities on the island such as rice, horticulture, coffee and cocoa. Even though Bali is known as a paradise island, there is still a lot of poverty, especially among small farmers. On Bali, 10 746 hectares is cultivated by cocoa farmers. The infrastructure in this area is well developed enabling easy accessibility to the markets.
KSS was founded in 2006 with support from the local government. In 2010 they received the UTZ label. With this certification KSS has been able to develop its own internal control system and has gained access to the international market for sustainable cocoa. KSS works with 26 farmer groups existing of a total of 466 members (end of 2016). In order to become stronger and further grow as a cooperative KSS participated in the Progreso program.
KSS is facing challenges to buy cocoa beans from the members due to a lack of working capital. The loan that will be facilitated by the SEM Foundation in collaboration with the Rabobank Foundation, will be used to buy cocoa beans from farmers. Due to a lack of financial resources in the past, KSS could not meet the demand of buyers so far. In 2015 KSS could only buy 50 tons while there was 200 tons of cocoa available at the farmers. Due to the previous loan, the cooperative could purchase an additional 37.5 tons of cocoa beans from the farmers. After processing and selling the cocoa beans, the loan was redeemed on time and without any problems.
Due to this new loan in quarter two of 2017 even more cocoa boans an be bought from the farmers at a fair price, which results in a higher quality of life for the farmers and their communities.