blog

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:17:00 +0000

12.05
one blog at a time..

interview with FRE: HERE

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:38:00 +0000

08.03.2009
Students for Humanity

Check out my newest project: http://studentsforhumanity.com
Please leave a comment for the students!!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:22:00 +0000

21.01.2009
A trip to heaven..

goede reis, je hebt nu geen gewicht
astronaut
ga sneller dan het licht
de planeten zingen zacht van het wonder dat je wacht
kijk niet om en ga steeds vooruit

(text Spinvis song: Astronaut)

31 years. Krista, my second cousin. She didn't wait for a cancer to enjoy life...

This lady has been a lot in my mind the last few days. (or actually few months)

We were not just born on the same day...we shared a lot of passions for people, travel, Spanish, salsa, .. >> I'll make sure your enthusiasm lives on! Love Ya Krista!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:07:00 +0000

07.01.2009
B'day and things..

A few things:

2008 was a bad personal blogging year. Shall I still continue?
yeah, I've got plans. Did you check out my new homepage? Integrated Flickr (photo album) and Twitter (multi user messaging/blogging tool) Follow me here: flickr
or here: twitter

yes, it is this time of the year 11.1.81 > B'day time
Everybody in Cape Town: Edith (10.1.81) and I are celebrating at Jamaican me crazy (Roodebloem, Woodstock) from 19.30 on Sat 10.1.09. Come join us for a drink!

NO presents needed! Please if you want to give something (other then a big hug)
donate to my account: (I need to save money to replace my dying laptop)

SA:
fj van bree 9169749182
br code 632005 (ABSA)

NL:
fj van Bree
2200590
Kaapstad

Online:
paypal: freriekevanbree at hotmail.com (replace at with @)

OR donate to the projects! (check out http://lovetotheworld.org)

NL:
stichting Umeebee

Online:
paypal: freriekevanbree at hotmail.com (replace at with @)

(please note what you want to donate to)

On a sad note..
I've got a great second cousin who is sharing her B'day with me. She is going through a serious difficult time of her life. She has been diagnosed with cancer....unfortunately the doctors aren't able to help her... another young person facing the end of this earhtly life. Krista, all love and blessings for you. You demonstrate what 'enjoying life and travel' means. you inspire many of us! I hope your energy is there to enjoy this day 31 years ago you were born...

1 1 1 1

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:42:00 +0000

1 1 1 1

i have to write a blogpost today, 11/11
there is something going on with numbers over here!

today 11/11 I coincidentally looked at my mobile-phone-time at exactly 11hr11

last week I sketched some new ideas for my website in my sketchbook..
fre(e)minded connected with 1111
why? because that's me!

Born 11/1/81

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:38:00 +0000

25.09.2008

Umuntu, ngumuntu, ngabantu

means: A person is a person through other people.

Have you seen the artworks of our students yet?

http://lovetotheworld.org

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:52:00 +0000

30.08.2008
Art and Leadership

Check us out with our students! Each Friday we are teaching those brilliant COSAT students 1. leadership skills and 2. having fun with arts. Keep an eye on the love2theworld website , some great material coming up.

Eline, my Dutch fundraise buddy and I are finalizing a great proposal which will a. create a way for students to earn their university fees by practising their leadership skills in their community and b.make it fun for you all to connect to those inspiring individuals and sponsor them and the projects that matter to them.

Exciting times in Africa!

For the tech savvy people... I attended the first Wordcamp South Africa last weekend...very inspiring. Especially Wordpress founder Matt Mullenweg is an incredible human being who I enjoyed meeting a lot.
Jep... I still know that internet is the way for me to combine my passions: art and humanity, with what really matters to me: having people to know that their voice matters, have them create incredible connections.

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:37:00 +0000

09.08.2008
'Strike a woman, strike a rock'

20.000 women marched on the 9th of Aug 1956 towards the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the pass laws (special identification documents which curtailed an African's freedom of movement during the Apartheid era.)
that proposed further restrictions on the movements of women.

Those brave women risked to be arrested or banned. They demonstrated courage and strength and proved that they could organize themselves, that they were not powerless, that the commonly accepted stereotype of women (tied to the home and not politically mature) was outdated and inaccurate.

Wathint'Abafazi Wathint'imbokodo! (Now you have touched the women, you have struck a rock.) was what the women were singing during their march. The latest incarnation of their song: 'Strike a woman, strike a rock' has come to represent women's courage and strength.

The 1956 March helped to shape the ideologies of many, particular those that drafted the South African Constitution and the Commission of Gender and Equality. August 9th is now celebrated as Women's Day in South Africa.

Women are driving forces in the transformation of South Africa. Within the black community for example they are the ones that 1. Stand for their family, 2. Work, 3. Do all the cooking, housekeeping. Cape Town’s mayor (and national opposition leader), Helen Zille is a perfect example of a woman with courage and power.

Personally, through my profession (building industry) and experience of working both here in South Africa and in The Netherlands, I can conclude that traditional role plays (women at home, men in power) are still much more accurate here in South Africa compared to Europe. ..that is one of the reasons why I would like to give extra credits to Helen Zille and all those other great female activists here in South Africa!

The attached photograph shows two beautiful young South African women. One being from the Xhosa culture the other from the Coloured Community.

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:33:00 +0000

06.08.2008

Me in the media

A Dutch regional newspaper has published an article about me (and my activities for humanity here in South Africa) .......the interesting thing is: I don't know anything about this! Please let me know if you do, i would love to see the article. I heard they have even included a picture...interesting!

Yesterday evening during my seminar, one of the ladies in the seminar came up to me, saying: I've heard you on the radio! HUH...What??? nooo that wasn't me...but yess she said...my funny dutch accent ....and then I remembered this...a few months ago, Anasuya and I were interviewed about our activities with Love to The World. We took 2 of our students with us to the studio and the 4 of us spoke about the Leadership work we are doing in Khayelitsha, the workshops with HIV+ women... unfortunately the radio station never told us when it would be up in the air. We'll try to get a copy of the interview!

For my Dutch speaking readers...Petra Kroon, founder of Goedgeefs (a Dutch organization that forms an intermediate between Dutch Corporations and projects in South Africa) has published another conversation of me and her on her blog, this time about the rising food prizes here in South Africa...
have a read... http://www.goedgeefs.nl/#/weblog/
Have you got any specific questions that you would like to see answered? let us know and we can discuss your topic of interest.

I love all this unexpected media attention! keep it coming!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:53:00 +0000

04.08.2008

Two Years and counting...

I am here in Cape Town exactly 2 years now!

Wouw.

First intention was: a year and then up to another continent (South America?!) . Haa and here I still am....South Africa. And what's next? I am staying for a bit.

I have started a new and very exciting job at www.makekadesigns.com > we are making architecture that is able to compete at a world scale (check us out in China! www.ordos100.com ) and in the same time we are dealing powerfully with local issues. We are working on the Cape Town train station, a development plan for Township Khayelitsha, an ecovillage, a campsite for Table Mountain National Park. A vibrant place. I managed to arrange a work week of 4 days, to be able to do all the other fun stuff...

I started teaching (art and empowerment) in the Township, which is awesome! Visual arts, art and revolution, team work, community building, Photography...

Anasuya and I are creating more and more opportunities to work with the COSAT kids. We are so behind with all our online updates on our website www.lovetotheworld.org ...but we'll promise to make some time, so keep an eye on the site.

Together with an awesome lady in The Netherlands, we are creating a winning fundrais proposal, which will create even more opportunities for the students here, which will kick off www.umeebee.com and now for real. The Umeebee team is still alive and waking up from a winters sleep with Eline on board.

The summer is almost here again. Days are getting longer. The mountain still impressive
Our house is still lovely (so great to live with good high school friend Edith).

I have started a great, intense Leadership course, so some good personal challenges the next 6 months!

Jep...I am hanging around here a bit longer. Too many good things. I'll only move on to another place with an excellent plan. A plan that will excite me more then what is going on for me here at the moment...for this is good, challenging and new!

Come join me here, or come visit
or...we'll skype

(the pic: one of our favorite lunch spots, just around the corner)

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:38:00 +0000

13.07.2008

Art and Empowerment

That is the name of the course I am creating. This Friday in Khayelitsha will be my first own teaching experience ever. (the leadership training - which will by the way start next weekend again- was a great experience and training together with Anasuya) I will have 50 students, age 15 from all different Townships around Cape town. I will be teaching them about art and revolution, african history of art, resistance art, propaganda, technical drawing, logo and identity, community art, photography. I am very excited about this great opportunity and will soon let you know a lot more about it!

please keep on checking out my flickr account for new pictures here

there is so much art on the streets here...this is just around the corner from our house..

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:24:00 +0000

29.06.2008

a Muslim introduction

I met my new friend Habiba at Landmark Education. She grew up in the Muslim Community of Cape Town. A new day, a new experience here in Cape Town. Understanding the history of this country is not easy! whites/blacks/coloreds...and each of those groups are divided into several groups. The Muslim community used to be sent to 'colored areas' during the Apartheid. Not all colored people are Muslim. And to make it even more interesting: not all Muslims are one....there are those with an Indian background and those with an Arabic background. Habiba speaks Arabic. Her first language is English. Most 'colored people' speak Afrikaans. For Habiba, this was the language of the oppressor...she still refuses to speak it!

Yesterday i was part of a Muslim fundraiser for a feeding scheme for 4000 orphans in the black townships. 300 Muslim women (no man allowed! otherwise the women would not be able to dance) gathered in a hall next to the mosque. Their head scarfs in all happy colors made me feel as if I stepped into a beautiful field of flowers. I was the only not-Muslim in the audience. It was a great experience. The community was very welcoming. I was really happily surprised by this community. Most of them are not living in a lot of wealth either, but they care for the people in their country. White South Africans can learn something from their Muslim neighbours!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:34:00 +0000

21.06.2008

Shit = Fun

Landmark Advanced course. Jep powerful! You know what I really get? Dealing with the shit in my life is fun, really fun. Dealing with everything in the past that just sits there and wants to be hided away....oeh....opening up, and sharing this with others....it is just so exciting! A few years ago I would have been so afraid of judgements (what will people think about me when I tell them about the bitch I was being?) and now?... I actually really do not care what kind of story you create around my actions. I know I am here in this world to empower others, as many as I can (so if you do not take my word as it is, that's up to you). And what I will be in that? open, honest, direct and a girl that's having FUN and enjoying life!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:57:00 +0000

01.06.2008

The situation now...

It seems to be quiet. Saturday, we (Anasuya, our visitor from The Netherlands Reinier and me) drove to Khayelitsha and didn't experience any abnormal situation.

Lots of churches have opened their doors, refugees camps have been created at different places in/around the city. We drove past a Church in Observatory and saw lots of refugees standing in the garden. There was confusion in their eyes. Or was it fear I could see? Refugees on a hunger strike, demanding a better place to sleep. Aid gets commented (by aid-workers): why does this South African society wake up and get into action at this Xenophobic crisis moment, but does not do anything for its own community on a daily base. Do they know how many of their own, South African people need participation, integration, action, sharing and care????!!!!!

We organized a compassion diner for our 3 Zimbabwean friends this week. They are fine! The fireplace in our new house in Woodstock works well. Thank god, because the evenings start being very cold.

For the Dutch-speaking readers: I have started an online public conversation with Petra Kroon, the Founder of 'Goedgeefs', a Dutch organization that forms an intermedium between Dutch Corporations, who want to work on their CSI (Corporate Social Investment - or Dutch: MVO - Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Ondernemen) and projects in South Africa. Petra has a big passion for South Africa, lives in Amsterdam, is a very creative and intelligent woman with lots of great ideas and actions! We had a inspiring meeting, a few weeks ago in The Netherlands, after our online correspondence the past months. You can find our online conversation, along with more information about Petra and her organization at the Goedgeefs website; http://www.goedgeefs.nl/#/weblog/

Enjoy!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:04:00 +0000

26.05.2008

xenophobia

Sad. Sad. Sad. During Apartheid lots of South Africans were welcomed in neighbouring countries...15 years democracy and now? black brothers chasing black brothers away. Thousands of refugees on the street. The violence has been in the Townships and mainly towards foreign (black) shop owners. I know that the media has been showing you all some dramatic photographs.....and NO the situation is NOT ok, but we are OK! I will keep you all up to date. Yesterday we wanted to drive to town to donate blankets and clothes, but we didn't have to drive any further then our own street....a man from Sudan spends his nights together with wife and 2 children in front of the church. Why does the church not open her doors?

to be continued...

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:28:00 +0000

23.05.2008
Landmark

Wouw some good weeks behind me! The momentum is up.
2 weekends ago I did the Landmark Forum. Education for life, they call it. And YES I agree. The forum is all about completing things in your own past, challenging your self, sharing, communication, life. 100 participants. The most interesting thing? People from all different backgrounds listening to each other. Experiencing new social challenges/experiences. South Africa on its best!

I went back to my own childhood and figured out that I have created an image of Carel, my (sort of) Stephfather. As a little girl (he was in our life from around my 5th) I told myself that he is an unfriendly man (why? ...yeah...asking a 5 year old...because he was not my father? because he is a bit older? because he doesn't laugh all the time?) Anyways, as a teenager I made that 'he's unfriendly'-thought even stronger, it developed to: 'he's a dictator, he's dominant, he is just not nice. This Landmark weekend I came to the conclusion that I've never given him the chance to just 'be friendly' or even 'be himself' . Only now I realize this.

Well....never too late! I gave Carel a call that very day. Mother’s day it was. "Ah you're calling for your mum", he told me while he picked up the phone. "Well", I said, 'I'm actually calling for you. And I told him what I've written down here above. I explained to him that I realized that our relationship could have been very different if I would have allowed him to be him. He was very surprised about what I was saying. At first he responded like "what do you want me to say?". But after I explained that I didn't expect any response, that I just needed to say the things....., he really liked it. And he actually said: wow...uhm...yeah, well maybe I also have to look back and we can have a longer chat about this later, because I do realize that the relationship with you has been very different and more difficult then the relation with your brother.

Last week, my mum send me an email. Saying that Carel really appreciated my phone call, that it means a lot to him and that it actually feels as if he has another daughter (he has one real daughter, Loes) now. That is HUGE.

Also that call I had a chance to speak to my mum and for the first time in my life could state the appreciation that I have for her, for the way she raised me and my brother, for who she is, tell her I love her.

Jep ...and that all because of Landmark. Sharing, communicating, openness and honesty. And a new very important word for me: Integrity > being whole and complete. Each and every moment in life. Enjoying every second. Because? THIS IS IT. Stop chasing the carrot like a donkey. This is it, so better enjoy it. As Jord said before his dead: don't wait for a cancer to start living.

I signed up for the advanced course the end of June. Jep, more to come...

interested? www.landmarkeducation.com (global institute...jep guys also in Amsterdam!) The words are not able to express the feelings you get out of it. Jep it is in your own experience and your own intention of what you want to get out of it...where you'll get the most! Enjoy!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:15:00 +0000

14.05.2008

An Underwater World

Wouw! This Dutch Family living in Cape Town is amazing! Check their site out: www.scubafrique.co.za . And how lucky Anasuya and I have been…we received a free diving introduction. No Ocean to deep for us!
Sjon, wife Marijke and kids are all very passionate about what they are doing. They are totally dedicated to make your dive experience, one never to forget. Our first introduction with the underwater world was in their very professional dive centre here in Cape Town. After a video which explained us the basics of diving, a training in a public pool (haha on a very HOT capetonian day, wetsuits, heavy air tanks, while other visitors find some cooling in the water) and then THE REAL THING….the ocean. Cold. Windy. Slippery. Waves. Rocks. But we did it! Shells, fishes, and a whole forest of kelp!

Thinking of diving, in the beautiful underwater world of Cape Town? This is the place to go! www.scubafrique.co.za
For more pictures: check my photostream on flickr, click here
For the Dutch Hyvers: http://satroost.hyves.nl/

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:45:00 +0000

06.05.2008

A new day in Africa

Jep I'm back. 2 intense weeks in The Netherlands. A beautiful funeral. Some amazing moments with friends, family. Some lovely spring sun! (sorry everybody whom I couldn't see, my time was limited and the trip was so last minute..)

Yesterday I moved to our new place in Woodstock. Sharing a place with one of my high school best friend, Edith and her lover Henk and my amazing American work partner, Anasuya. The house is cute! pictures will come soon.. it feels like home.

The coming months Africa, for me personally

- with more balance! (architectural work-humanitarian projects-surf-sports-reading-exploring-fun-learning-travelling-friends-LOVE)

- with more updates (a new way... my photo stream at flickr!)

- with more focus

- with happiness, optimism, honesty and openness

- and with the intensity as always!

Cape Town here I am!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:24:00 +0000

29.04.2008

Soulmates

Please read this beautiful text of Elizabeth Gilbert from her book "Eat, Pray, Love" ...

"People think a soulmate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. A true soulmate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soulmate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soulmate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soulmates they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave."

This text helped me understand the situation between Peter and me. Eventhough our time together was amazing, we are not together anymore. Now I accept it. Thanks Peter, great time together...who knows our paths will cross again, one day.

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 09:15:00 +0000

27.04.2008

Jord to you..

Live life as if every day is the last.

Jord... 27 years and you left us..

...but you knew the secret of life

your optimism, happiness, joy, social awareness, sustainable energy activism, friendship

we will take it with us!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:08:00 +0000

11.03.2008

What's happening?

Ok sorry, sorry for the long silence

Lots of you have made complains about some missing stories here online..

What has been happening the past 2.5 months?

They were great!

Peter and I had a great time together. After the kick in his but, the beetle that was rented and the open attitude towards this new place and culture, Peter enjoyed South Africa and we enjoyed spending time together! We worked a lot, we traveled to beautiful places: Drakensberg with Christmas and Krugerpark in Feb, we got to know each other in an amazing and very special way. Having lots of fun, good conversations, special moments....and then unfortunately...Peter had to leave again. 3 weeks ago now. What's next? We're both flying high in the sky, following our heart and passions, busy with the projects we have started. We are completely honest and open...what else can we do? Yep: having big dreams! And yep in those dreams I see us together...This whole life is about making dreams come true...so when the time is right we'll make sure this ocean between us is reduced to two bodies, connected, holding hands..

Today it is exactly 6 months ago that I walked out of that plane in Vancouver and experienced a breathtaking moment: meeting my partner-in-crime (the crime of love). These 6 months have been a real learning curve for both of us. The impact that we both had on each others life is of a huge value. Thank you Peter for being you!

Besides having Peter here with me I met my current partner: Anasuya. We have merged our organizations Umeebee and Let love lead together to Love to The World.

It is an incredible experience to work together with this amazing American black lady and to be strong together to inspire, empower and serve people here in Africa living in underpriviledged communities. If you haven't seen it yet: please take a look at our website: http://www.lovetotheworld.org/

I am only working freelance at the architectural office now (evening hours) in order to really dedicate my time on working on Love to the World. It is a tough time, because Anasuya and I do not have any funding yet for the activities we're doing, but we know we have to do them.

Please consider to make a small donation (10 dollar? 5 dollar? any dollar helps!) and help us in this struggle! find our donation details here: http://lovetotheworld.org/donate

Thanks! Fre

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:59:00 +0000

24.12.2007
South Africa requires Startup time

This country of large inequalities, moving between different worlds, so many cultural groups sharing this –beautiful though- place….integrating between worlds and cultures is a tough thing to accomplish...
Peter has been here now for 2 weeks. The first days he was having a hard time…living in ‘white South Africa’; being inside a car most of the times, moving from the one safe fenced area to the other, hardly seeing any black people, not to speak of communicating with them. Arriving in Cape Town, from the cold Montreal winter (with lots of snow!) straight into the warm summer, this beautiful place, but not really time to explore a lot ...having to work immediately…

Thank god lot’s of great things that could give him a -South African-home-feeling-.
Seeing each other again, spending lots of time together, meeting great people and getting to see great places. A walk on the mountain, a swim in the ocean, great food, cheap wine, ultimate Frisbee on the beach, kite surf lessons in the lagoon, a visit to the orphanage in township Khayelitsha, a weekend to a beautiful dam; floating on the water on a air mattrass, interesting conversations with my black friend Ronald, meeting with the surf friends from the Netherlands, stunning sunsets..

Summer holidays for me now. 2 weeks off from the architectural office. Peter and I will do a little trip, starting tomorrow morning; driving through the karoo (semi-desert), hiking in the Drakensberg and probably back for the New Years Party in Cape Town. The weather is great here now, the summer has really started.

Last week Zuma (the leader of the Zulu-sub-group within the ANC) has been elected as the head of the ANC…different opinions between the different cultural groups here about this newly elected president of the ANC (this is the party that Nelson Mandela belonged to). Coming year is going to be an interesting one here in South Africa! Will keep you updated with some inside info every now and then…

For now….Wishing you all a lovely Christmas, New years and all those days in between…let them all be great and meaningful! X Fre (and Peter).

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:14:00 +0000

14.12.2007
Umeebee and OLPC - short

The shorter version of the earlier video posted on 02.12

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:06:00 +0000

07.12.2007

The -Future- story of Peter and Fre

Our partner-in-crime-ship continuous. Tomorrow evening...this virtual amazing man will become real for a second time. And let me tell you a little secret.. tomorrow evening Cape Town Airport is just the start of a life long doing good, explore, travel and inspire together!

The African summer is starting, Love is literaly IN THE AIR. Wish you all a great weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (fre) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 12:41:00 +0000

06.12.2007

Sinterklaas

Yesterday was a big day in The Netherlands; Sinterklaas. Traditional celebration; me, my brother and dad around a table with all candy and presents underneath. This year we had to do it with a phone call. Shame, had to miss the traditional Sinterklaas poems. Instead, my dad told me one of his wisdoms, to share;

It doesn't matter how many years you add to your life

what really matters is; how much life you add to your years!

jep...my dad is a wise man

enjoy every day!