| Who we are |
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The foundation Intervolve is a non profit organisation with a distinguishing role. We offer our own innovative programmes and activities towards improving the social economic circumstances of people living in urban areas in developing countries. Our aim is sustainable improvements by providing knowledge, expertise and means and by connecting to the will power and ambition of the people on the spot. We use an integrated approach, in which education, economic stimulus, housing, environment and employability are in cohesion. The effect: sustainable area and local development with lasting results. Â To make our activties possible we maintain, enlarge and activate a broad network of companies, governments and organisations. Our sponsors and donors offer their means and expertise. They get results, committment and a interesting network in return. That is how we crosslink chances for people living in urban areas in developing countries with the possibilities fororganisations to showcase their corporate social responsibility (CSR)policy. Â Next to this, we also provide consultancy commissioned by clients. For example cities twinning programmes, investments for CSR or support for other projects. Â Â History Intervolve Foundation (before Van der Leij Habitat) is founded in 1996 by Rob van der Leij, a constructor from Amsterdam. Already in 1987 Van der Leij organised a development project in Eluru in the state of Andrha Pradesh in India. This project formed the basis for our integrated approach which characterises our work nowadays. In 1997 Van der Leij Habitat foundation started the High Return Housing Project in Buffalo City at South Africa's east coast. This resulted in Haven Hills residential area and the foundation of Own Haven Housing Association which organises the management and maintenance of the rental houses. In 2005, together with Dutch and South African partners, we started redevelopments in Duncan Village, a township with 100,000 inhabitants next to Haven Hills. In this year we also changed our organisation's name into Intervolve. In 2004 we started a third project in Hawassa, in the south of Ethiopia and in 2008 was the start of a redevelopment project in Sopom in the city of Douala in Cameroon. Â Â The organisation Intervolve is a Dutch foundation with a supervisory board. The daily management lies with the director/administrator. Members of the supervisory board are:
  People at Intervolve Intervolve's headquarters are based in Amsterdam with a permanent staff of 5 people. In East London (Buffalo City) in South Africa our office has 2 staff members. In Hawassa (Ethiopia) there are 5 staff members and in Douala (Cameroon) 2 people run the programme. Together this forms a group of well experienced people with a secured knowhow in a sustainable organisation. The personal commitment of each staff members forms the basis.  Amsterdam, the Netherlands
 East London, South Africa Martin Thursby (programme manager)  Hawassa, Ethiopia Bizuayehu Belachew Haile (programme manager)  Douala, Cameroon Daniel Agoons (programme manager) |
