Board Members
Margaret Rijkelijkhuizen
Co-Founder
Margaret Rijkelijkhuizen. Co-Founder of Yazidi@School and Director of English Program and a teache. Margaret has lived, worked and studied in Switzerland, Germany and mostly in the USA
Margaret Rijkelijkhuizen. Co-Founder of Yazidi@School and Director of English Program and a teache. Margaret has lived, worked and studied in Switzerland, Germany and mostly in the USA, where she married, raised 5 children and was active as a choir director in her parish, volunteered at the elementary school to help the struggling children succeed and she was also the owner of White House Gems in Maryland.. She always volunteered in education for the ones who struggled the most, children or refugees. When her own children were in highschool she earned 2 Bachelor Degrees and a triple Masters in L2 teaching. Margaret realizes all her experiences and education have prepared her to start Yazidi@School , to connect with the Yezidi and appreciate all they are. She is humbled to to serve them and considers herself as a bridge: connecting people and connecting young people with a better future
Angela Smits
Co-Founder and Treasurer
Angela is a hairdresser and has her own salon in Roermond, she is a member of Soroptimist International in the Netherlands. Soroptimists improve the lives and status of women and girls in more than 40 countries through education
Angela is a hairdresser and has her own salon in Roermond, she is a member of Soroptimist International in the Netherlands. Soroptimists improve the lives and status of women and girls in more than 40 countries through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities. That’s why the ” Yazidi’s stole my heart forever” to help them.
Hanna Reichelt
Board member
Hanna Reichelt is a migration professional and psychologist. She joined the board in 2024 and also works as an academic mentor with our students.
Hanna Reichelt is a migration professional and psychologist. She joined the board in 2024 and also works as an academic mentor with our students. Before she volunteered in a similar position with the NGO Paper Airplanes.
Meike Roumen
Board member
Meike Roumen joined this project in January 2024 after graduating. During her undergraduate studies, she focused on international public administration.
For her postgraduate studies next year Meike Roumen joined this project in January 2024 after graduating. During her undergraduate studies, she focused on international public administration. For her postgraduate studies next year, she aspires to study within the field of international migration or global development. She has been teaching language classes to refugees for almost three years now and is still doing so while travelling at the moment. While teaching and being involved with refugees, she realized this was one of her passions and exactly the field she wanted to pursue a career in. In this project, she is active as a board member.
Bob Bragar
Chair
Bob Bragar, who chairs the board, is an American linguist and lawyer who lives in Amsterdam, NL. He has long experience with international development, migration issues, and NGO corporate governance
Bob Bragar, who chairs the board, is an American linguist and lawyer who lives in Amsterdam, NL. He has long experience with international development, migration issues, and NGO corporate governance. He said, “I love the human connection of Yazidi@School. It enriches me every day.”