Sparrow is a foundation registered with the Chamber of Commerce of the Northern part of the Netherlands with number 01146098. Sparrow has a Supervisory Board, directors and employees in both the Netherlands and the Philippines. All employees, including the directors and the Supervisory Board, work on a voluntary basis.

Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board acts as a monitoring group for the directors. They check if the policy corresponds with Sparrows objectives and whether they have a sound financial policy. Furthermore they judge strategic decisions. The Supervisory Board resides in the Netherlands and consists of:

• Mr. A.W. Renkema, chairman
• Ms. B.L. Iepema, secretary
• Mr. A.C. Sijsling, treasurer

Direction

Remco Pijper - General Director

Remco studied Biology at Wageningen University. He  graduated  on the subject 'the role of tropical woods at the combat of poverty'. Before working as General Director with Sparrow, he was a lobbyist for sustainable food production with a Dutch NGO and end responsible for lobbying the Dutch and European Parliament.

Ellie is graduated as a nurse and has worked in both Surinam and the Philippines. Before her job as Managing Director with Sparrow she was a Nursery Supervisor in a Philippine children’s home for malnourished children.

Remco and Ellie are married and have two children. They work fulltime at Sparrow’s office in the Philippines and are completely dependent on donations for their life support. You can read more about their lives in the Philippines at www.remcoenellie.wordpress.com.

Staff members in the Philippines

Joel Caburao - Staff member

Joel is born in Pangasinan in the northern part of the Philippines and is married to Maria. He has worked in South Korea for 12 years. His main job with Sparrow consists of construction work and keeping in contact with people by visiting them at home. Joel works fulltime for Sparrow and is completely dependent on donations for his life support. To read more about Joel and Maria you can visit their website at www.joelandmalou.blogspot.com.

Maria Caburao - Staff member

Maria is born in Pangasinan in the northern part of the Philippines. Maria, her husband Joel and their two children moved to Calapan, because they want to serve the inhabitants of Oriental Mindoro. With Sparrow Maria has a supportive role, helping out with different activities. To read more about the personal lives of Joel and Maria you can visit their website at www.joelandmalou.blogspot.com.

Danilo Estrada - Staff member

Danilo is born in Silang, Cavite, a Philippine region situated south of Manila. He is married and has a daughter. Graduated as a pastor he served his own congregation in Calapan City for several years. Besides working for Sparrow Danilo rides a tricycle to support in his daily needs. His main job with Sparrow consists of construction work and home visits.

You can visit Danilo’s website at www.familyestrada.blogspot.com to read more about his personal life.

Rona Joy Soriano - Staff member

Rona Joy is born and raised in Calapan City. She studies Political Science and wants to become a lawyer. For her studies Rona Joy receives a scholarship from Sparrow. In her time off she helps her mom sell food in their canteen.

Rona Joy's responsibility with Sparrow is being in charge of the weekly Bible studies for grade 4, 5 and 6.

Jaimelyn Sergio - Staff member

Jaimelyn is born and raised in Calapan City, near Sparrow's office. She studies Hotel and Restaurant Management and works parttime for Sparrow.

With Sparrow, Jaimelyn is in charge of the weekly Bible studies for grade 1, 2 and 3.

Staff members in the Netherlands

Marina Huijsen - Translator

Marina Huijsen works with Sparrow as a translator Dutch-English. She translates the website pages and other documents like sponsor letters and brochures. Marina is married and is a mother of a two-year old boy. As of 2007 they live in the southern part of the Netherlands, where Marina also used to live as a child. After her study Developmental Psychology Marina had administrative jobs in several companies, mainly at their personnel departments. In order to care for her little son, she chose to work from home. Since the translations for Sparrow can be done at home, this job meets her wish to combine administrative work with the care for her son.