Board Members

Pim de Lijster – Chairman/Project Coordinator

Pim has been involved with the SAM medical projects since 2000. He worked, together with his wife Willemijn, in the Nkhoma Mission Hospital between 1999 and 2003. After an intermezzo in Australia, where he worked for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, he set up and started the MOZMED project in Moma, Mozambique in 2009. The MOZMED project in Gurúè was started some time later. Until the middle of 2014 he had the privilege of leading a team of medical doctors, dentists, nurses and local volunteers. Together with his family he moved to Portugal in 2014, where he now works as a medical doctor at an emergency department. He acquired the chairmanship from Jan van der Spek in 2020.

Jan Vonk – Treasurer

Jan Vonk has been its treasurer ever since SAM´s foundation. He was born in 1946 and is now enjoying his pension after having worked as an independent financial advisor for over 35 years. He continues to be a part-time tax advisor and volunteers for various organisations, including the Protestant Church in his hometown of Terheijden, near Breda. He is married to Els, father of two sons and a proud grandfather of four grandchildren.

Jan van der Spek – board member

Jan van der Spek has been involved as chairman of SAM since 2000. In 2020 he transferred the chairmanship to Pim de Lijster. His position as father-in-law, father and grandfather respectively to Pim, Willemijn and their children has given his chairmanship and extra dimension during the last 20 years. He was born in 1942, studied pedagogy/andragogy, and worked as director of various organisations within the health care sector. His background has contributed to his close involvement in the SAM projects.

Elke Wilson-van Alphen – Public Relations

Elke was born in 1979 and practises as midwife. She is married to Pieter and has 3 children. She joined SAM´s board in 2008. Her interest in SAM evolved from her own medical background, her interest in working in developing countries and her personal contact with Pim and Willemijn de Lijster. A few years ago, she completed a Tropical Course of Medicine at the Havenziekenhuis (Tropical Hospital) in Rotterdam. Elke met Pim and Willemijn via the Koningskerk (Church) in Rotterdam Feijenoord. All in all, she enjoys giving her time and efforts to this beautiful cause!

Marie-Cecile van der Pol-Bijloo – Secretary

Marie-Cecile is involved with SAM from May 2015 onwards. She knows Willemijn since her childhood which led to her becoming a board member. Marie-Cecile is married and has a daughter and two beautiful stepdaughters. After her secondary schooling she studied dentistry in Amsterdam. Presently, she, together with her family, enjoy living and working in the town of Ouddorp.