Who are We?
Our Vision
The Cornerstone Foundation’s vision is for people to be able to earn their own incomes in order to escape from the spiral of poverty. Also, that they live in harmony with themselves, others, their environment, and their creator.
Mission
As a foundation, we initiate or support reconciliation projects, and help start income-raising projects in developing nations.
We make it possible for (young) people to follow an education or training, so that they become self-sufficient.
We currently have a special focus: training young people in hospitality in Rwanda, where this sector is growing, so that they can gain a dignified place in society.
We aim to support our partners in the projects that are already being carried out, and to help them develop, through product design, advice, fundraising and training.
The Board
Norman
Halsall
Chairman
Years spent in music, theatre, radio, television and live presentations, have left their mark on Norman.
Add to this habitual creativity, a natural rapport with technology, a deductive mind,
and contagious enthusiasm. Norman is someone who really enjoys dealing with people.
Norman has a deep passion to empower the vulnerable, and has been Chairman of the Cornerstone Foundation since its inception.
MAYA
JOHN
Secretary
Maya joined us as a volunteer in 2017. She has a passion for communication, and uses her talent to create our quarterly newsletter.
She likes to tell the story of how Great Lakes Hospitality Institute and other projects help Rwanda’s vulnerable youth heal from the country’s tragic past, and find a place in society.
Angel Ann Edison
Treasurer
Angel Ann Edison is a global health researcher and was introduced to the Cornerstone by her friend Maya. She volunteered to be the treasurer from 2024 and is also involved in the fundraising events. Her passion lies in the equality and empowerment of vulnerable populations especially in the low and middle income countries. She believes that empowering women not only promotes gender equality but also enhances positive health outcomes and holistic personal development.
other Team Members
ShirLey
Hutter
Program funding officer
Shirley has been involved in helping women in Rwanda for many years. This started when she met a refugee who wanted to do something for women in her network. It was remarkable that, at that time, shirley had just received a desire to mean something to people in Africa who are facing difficulties.
Since that time she has learned much, and always applies this to the projects. Recently she completed a Masters degree in Community Development at the HU, where she applied many of her lessons learned from development work.
ROELAND
STELingwerff
Financial
advisor
I am Roeland Stelingwerff, married, 7 kids and I work as a project manager in Information and Communication Technology. Recently I moved from an ICT-service company to the Salvation Army, as project manager ICT.
As a volunteer I support a couple of organisations. With this I can give back to society some of the experience I gained during my career, and through the Cornerstone Foundation help to support people far beyond my reach.
Liset
De Klerck
Managing Director
‘GREAT LAKES HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE’
Liset started as volunteer with an organisation in Kenya in 2014, followed by adventures in different parts of Africa. In 2017 she travelled to Rwanda, and later became Managing Director of Great Lakes Hospitality Institute in Kigali.
She believes it is important that people learn a trade to be able to provide for themselves and their families; develop competencies, life skills and talents through the right training. Liset believes that we can learn a lot from each other, and that by working together we grow and become stronger.
Margrietha
Bor
FUnd raising
Margrietha was involved as a board member of the Cornerstone Foundation for about five years. At the moment she helps with the fund raising.
She believes that it is important to be able to contribute something to young people in a country like Rwanda. She is convinced that practical education is the way for them to provide for their own livelihood in the short term.
MArlien
van der Welle
Web site
Marlien joined the Cornerstone Foundation, during her studies in International Development. She started as an intern, researching the Cows4Peace project and assisted in the filming of Sylvestre’s Story. During the few months in Rwanda she became very impressed with both the vital work of reconciliation and the beautiful country.
She has continued to follow the work of the Cornerstone Foundation all these years and is now active again: this time responsible for the website.
Our PArtners
