HELP A STAR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Treasurer & Responsible for Project Implementation
When Dakota discusses her trip to South Africa in 2017 it is clear that she has developed a strong bond for the country. She states: "I absolutely fell in love with the region. I got to visit a few different villages and surprised myself with how much I connected with the people living there."
Having been introduced to Xiomara and Tariq Getrouw, the irrespressible sister- brother team from Suriname, a year before as they were beginning their first trip to Lesotho, it was only natural that she would join the team at the NGO that they had founded and were developing. The three motivated young people were energized and passionate about creating programs to improve the lives the youth of Africa.
Dakota has been Inspiring kids since her preteen years. At age 12, she wrote a novel, the "Flash of Freedom", that led to a nation-wide speaking tour after being published. The tour inspired thousands of children, and adults to live their dreams.
​Dakota earned a B. A. In Anthrozoology from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. As the wife of Tariq Getrouw and the the Public Relations Specialist for Help a Star / Swim for Life International, she is completely involved in the organization. Her responsibilities include the logistics, and scheduling of the trips to Lesotho.
This misson planning is large responsibility but not something she finds overwhelming. As she recently said: "Our mission is big, but we have faith that with hard work and the right people, we can make anything happen."
A technologist by choice, David Getrouw, or "Jack" as he is known to family and friends, is also a highly educated electrical engineer. He studied at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS) and the University of Twente in the Netherlands.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Edwin Vermetten, a member of the Royal Netherlands Air Force was severely injured in a motor vehicle accident while deployed to Croatia in 2001. For the next eight years, he endured numerous surgeries and a painful course of rehabilitation.
Edwin is a particularly important member of the Help A Star family. His courage, motivation, perseverance, success, and support for his fellow warriors motivates the entire team and has opened new avenue - he is now recognized as a motivational speaker.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer & Responsible for Information Technology
Edwin Vermetten (NL): Responsible for the organizational connection for athletic and creative sectors
In a career of more than twenty years, Peter Troon has become a highly experienced computer programmer, test automation engineer as well as a website designer / webmaster. While matriculated at Delft University in the Netherlands in the course of study for a civil engineering degree he became interested in computer technology; he subsequently left the engineering program and earned a degree in computer science. After a career of employment at various software firms, Peter has been self-employed for the last five years as a consultant.
Born in Paramaribo, Republic of Suriname. he moved to Amsterdam in 1985. Even though he has lived for the greatest part of his life in Europe, he has strong affinity with people who live in other continents, particularly Africa. He believes that everyone should contribute to create a better outcome for the children of the world.
Peter has a particularly important role in the leadership team of Help A Star- he not only works with Tariq Getrouw on the technical aspects of website development / maintenance but also advises the United States team on the development of Dutch nonprofit "ANBI" status and the HAS Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Secretary & Responsible for Media & Public Affairs
Robert is a New York City native who served as a public-school educator in several positions for over 25 years that include pedagogy, governmental affairs, emergency planning and counter terrorism.
In 2005 he became a co-owner and one of the board members of Prince George's Suite Magazine (pgsuite.com), a lifestyle publication for the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC He was instrumental in developing new business contacts as well as media coverage in travel, culture, sports, & regional development. His interest in military affairs led to a key relationship with the US Air Force and Joint Base Andrews in Camp Springs, Maryland.
Upon his retirement from schools, he began writing as well as photographing for several African and Caribbean media platforms in the New York City area. These include: Afrobeat Radio, "Applause Africa" magazine, Island Voice and Africa Connect Online.
As a result of his work in the Diaspora Community he has been privileged to advise as well as join the boards of several organizations. They include "Enlighten the Youth", working to rebuild the educational infrastructure in Sierra Leone, "Giving Back for Tomorrow" working to improve educational outcomes in Guinea and "I AM CULTURE", based in Brooklyn, New York, committed to providing a voice for youth through art, fashion, music and other creative mediums. His goal is to ensure that young people achieve successful outcomes.
He has supported the Accra based "Girls Education Initiative of Ghana", serving as their board chair for media & public affairs in the US as well as representing them at the United Nations, the World Bank and the United States House of Representatives. He has also served on the United Nations NGO Committee on Education, Learning and Literacy (NGO CELL).
Most recently, he has lent his experience and knowledge to continue the work of the Center for Media and Peace Initiatives (CMPI). This includes developing their media presence as Managing Editor of their official publication -"Journal of Media & Public Policy" as well as working extensively on the planning of their annual event, "The Gershowitz Conference" in conjunction with Rutgers University's School of Public Affairs and Administration (RUTGERS SPAA). He represents them at media conferences, speaking on topics as diverse as governance, national security, development, and education.
Robert's role with Help A Star is to serve as their advisor on media, public affairs, and content development. He aims to ensure that the organization has the maximum degree of visibility.
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- President of Help a Star USA
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- President of Help a Star NL / Secretary Position Vacant