Our team in Belgium

The Belgian team of Aniké consists of a number of enthusiastic volunteers. We are very happy to introduce all of them to you.

Anneke Vercoutere

• Internationally active as gynaecologist. Founder and driving force of Aniké.

• Passionate about the fight against injustice and devoted to the idea of equal rights for everyone, wherever in the world.

• Arrived in Guinea in 2004 to do research as part of her master dissertation in medicine ‘La stigmatisation et la discrimination des enfants affectés par le SIDA en Guinée’, which can be translated as ‘Stigmatization and discrimination of children with AIDS in Guinea’. During her stay in Guinea she was moved by the living conditions of some children and decided to help. A year later she started a collaboration with the local NGO Felica, which takes care of orphans, vulnerable children and teenage mothers.

• “Development aid is a two-way street, an encounter between cultures that enriches all parties involved. Africa was a revelation for me. The continent has given me so much and imparted so much to me.”

Jessica Tatout

• Graduated as interpreter, but quickly moved into the direction of the social sector, with a postgraduate on North-South collaboration and a bachelor in social work.

• Traveled to Guinea for the first time in 2012 for an internship on the subject of female genital mutilation and started up activities on this theme for Aniké.

• Jessica found this experience enriching in every respect and it motivated her to continue to dedicate herself to this subject. She became a volunteer for Aniké - where she is vice-chair - and she engaged herself professionally in the non-profit organization GAMS ‘Group for the abolition of female genital mutilation’ in Belgium.

Dirk Vercoutere

• Worked in the banking sector and is a board member in various organisations. Was also one of the founding members of the non-profit organization Aniké when it officially started in 2010. Is now treasurer. Dad of Anneke Vercoutere.

• Encouraged by his parents and grandfather, he had no choice but to commit to social themes. He is proud of his children, who follow in his footsteps, through their commitment for a better world.

• Since 2005, he and his wife Monique have continuously supported the project that his daughter started.

Els Leye

• In the past, Els was a lecturer at Ghent University, where she specialized in research into female circumcision, child marriage and gender-based violence. She currently runs her own consultancy company and has working experience in a number of African countries. She was founding member of La Palabre, an organisation that focused its activities towards vulnerable women and girls in Senegal, for which she volunteered ten years.

• She worked with Anneke on various occasions, and was impressed by the solid local embedding of the activities of Aniké in Guinea and Anneke’s dynamic attitude and vigouresness. Currently holds the position of secretary with Aniké.

• “My fascination for Africa and passion to contribute to a better world for the most vulnerable groups in our society, combined with my admiration and respect for Anneke and her team, has finally found a home in Aniké. I’m happy and proud to be part of Aniké”. 

MONIQUE VAN CAUWENBERGE

• Studied Commercial Sciences and worked for 40 years as a teacher in GO education. She is the mother of Anneke Vercoutere.

• She raised her children against the background of the proverb "where your cradle is, determines your chances in life". As a result, they had an early eye for other children who were less well off.

• It was therefore evident that from the very beginning of Aniké in 2005 she contributed to the project that her daughter started, both morally, logistically and financially. Was one of the founding members when the organization was officially established in 2010.

Emmelien Schollaert

• Has been working with great enthusiasm as a psychiatric nurse at Ghent University Hospital since 2007, including 14 years in the child and adolescent psychiatry department. Looking for a new challenge, she found it in 2021 at the Care Center after sexual violence, where she now works as a forensic nurse.

• Nature and the unknown fascinate her. Has a passion for travel and other cultures, loves music and life.

• A warm-hearted person, she likes to actively support her fellow human beings. Puts this into practice in our organisation, where she has been active as a volunteer since 2014. 

Koen Van De Sype

• Obtained a master in Germanic language and literature and later on in journalism. As a journalist he is responsible for the communication of the organisation.

• Inspired by the stories and the enthusiasm of Anneke, he was one of the founding members of Aniké. Is committed to standing up for the women and children of Guinea, who are less fortunate than people in Europe.

• “I strongly believe in change that comes from within, that is supported by local communities. It is great to work with committed partners in the field to help build a future for Guinea. Literally and figuratively."

Jannelore Derycke

• Studied education sciences and sexology. Went to Guinea for her dissertation on female genital mutilation and sexuality, where she also met people from our partner organizations in the field.

• “For my research I spoke about female genital mutilation (FGM) with women and men. My dissertation was more than mere research. What I have heard and seen has touched me deeply. ”

• "Through the activities of Aniké I can continue to engage as a volunteer for the women and children in Guinea." 

Our partners in Guinea

In Guinea, Aniké works in collaboration with two local partners. These organizations consist of a lot of committed people. They are our rock.

Dr. Catherine Loua

• Gynecologist and master in public health. National Director of Health at Matoto District, one of the five major districts of Conakry.

• In 1998, she founded Felica (Fondation Elizabeth Cathy), an organization dedicated to orphans, vulnerable children and teenage mothers in Guinea. The NGO supports orphans by placing them in foster homes or in a 'maison d'accueil', a kind of orphanage that Aniké helped to develop into what it is today. She also joined forces with Aniké to build a maternity unit in Conakry, in her fight for a better reproductive health for women in Guinea.

• Since 2005, Aniké and Felica have joined forces to build a better future for Guinea. This has led to an official partnership in 2010.

• Firmly believes in standing up for those who are struggling and need help.

Bintou Mady Kaba

• Studied biology at Kankan University and is an esteemed expert in the fight against female genital mutilation.

• In the past, he has worked for a number of major organizations such as UNICEF (the UN Children Fund), UNFPA (the United Nations Population Fund) and EDA (Les Enfants de l'Aïr), always focussing on activities related to peace and gender issues.

• Is the executive secretary of ASD (Association des Amis de la Solidarité Sociale et du Développement or in English: Association of Friends for Social Solidarity and Development), an organization he created together with some friends, with the aim to work on social issues at a grassroots level.

• Has been working with Aniké since 2012 on the issue of female genital mutilation. This collaboration has gradually extended and at present includes supporting primary health care such as the ‘postes de santés’ and in local female agriculture groups.

Ousmane Bah

• Studied engineering sciences and worked for numerous companies and international organizations, both in construction and in the humanitarian and cultural sector. Truly, a jack-of-all-trades!

• Right hand of Aniké. Provides advice and assistance to the organisation and is someone you can always count on to brainstorm, monitor or supervise things.

• Has an incredible ability to adapt to new circumstances and different cultures. He earned himself the epithet "Ambassador of the Belgians", even though he has never set foot in Belgium. Positive and optimistic.

Dr. Abdoulaye Kaba

• Medical doctor specializing in dermatology. Master in public health.

• Already worked for numerous international organizations such as Doctors without Borders, UNAIDS and Global Fund. Also wants to contribute to the advancement of his country and works as general director in the "Bureau de Stratégie de Développement" (Office of Development Strategy) of the Ministry of Health, a technical knowledge center that examines whether certain projects are feasible, where he is also responsible food the follow-up.

• He has been supporting Aniké since 2005. Despite his busy schedule, he is always ready to help. The philosopher of the group, who provides guidance regarding the feasibility, objectives and approach of projects.

Balla Sidibé

• "Agent technique de santé" (Technical Health Assistant) by training.

• Was the man who mobilized Aniké to build a "poste de santé" in Dabadou, where he is in the "communauté de vigilence” (monitoring committee) of our committee against female genital mutilation. There he showed himself very committed.

• A jack-of-all-trades. Someone you can always count on. Super enthusiastic.