Mr. Paul-Jan Van Rooijen
Last Saturday, Pearl of Africa together with Stitchting Nedas and Mama Watoto organized a seminar on insurance. It has been an outstanding demand for a long time by the Uganda community in the Netherlands.
In 2007, a Ugandan lady called Grace (second name forgotten) died and was buried in Zeeland. It is rumored that she was cremated soon after. This got Ugandans scared and they pleaded with the Ugandan community organizations to establish a link with some insurance company so that no such a thing like being buried or cremated here happens to a Ugandan again. We in Pearl of Africa started discussing with some insurance companies different possibilities.
However, before we completed the negotiations, our colleagues in Agali Awamu took the bull by the horns and invited the community to discuss a solution they came up with. We of course suspended the negotiations with the insurance companies and decided to lend our support to Agali Awamu in the noble cause!
After 2 years had passed, we realized the steam had gone out of the exercise and we decided to resume negotiations with the insurance companies. In the meantime, different heads of organizations had been holding meetings to work together since we serve the same community. At the last meeting held at Mr. Kisitu’s residence, all organizations were represented. These were; Pearl of Africa, Nedas, Mama Watoto, Glaro and Agali Awamu.
We all agreed that we should share information about our activities and where possible hold them jointly. It was agreed that a joint workshop on sexual violence be held on 17 April 2010, an insurance seminar on 24 April, a Great lakes organizations brainstorming on 1st May and an education workshop on 9th may. Ibra was tasked with collecting activity plans for the rest of the year from different organizations for synchronization and Frank to draft a memorandum of understanding, which would govern our arrangement.
A successful workshop organized jointly by Mama Watoto and Nedas was held on 17 April 2010 at the Gouden Leeuw community hall in Amsterdam. Announcements were made to the effect that the following Saturday an Insurance seminar would be held in the same place and on 30 April a barbeque would be held at Diemen sports ground for the final Kasubi Tombs fundraising.
In the run-up to the insurance meeting, Ibra had called 'Dela Uitvaartverzekering' one of the biggest insurance companies in life assurance business in the Netherlands. They in turn asked him to contact their partners (Meeus Assurantien BV) in Amsterdam.
He contacted Meeus Insurance co and explained the need to get our community insured. Mr. Paul-Jan Van Rooijen (Teamleider Particulieren) became our contact person to handle the 'Group Life Assurance' for the Ugandan community. Because they are used to individual clients, they couldn't imagine a group going for a life Assurance contract. Ibra pointed out the cultural importance of transporting a body back home. Paul agreed to provide the much needed information to our community on Saturday 24 April 2010.
Unfortunately, the turn up was not very good. In total 22 people attended. Elsewhere in Amsterdam, a party was organized and of course the party was the community’s destination of preference. Regrettably, we forgot to practice what we preached, to synchronize both events since we deal with the same community. Of course it would have had a bigger impact if we had worked together by having both activities at the same place, one flowing into the other!
Mr. Paul-Jan van Rooijen did not disappoint. After being introduced by Ibra, he explained to us how life insurance works in the Netherlands. He also presented us the possibilities that are available for a community like ours. He however, categorically stated that no insurance company can insure undocumented immigrants nor can we have a group policy. He however promised a discount if our community insures with his agency. Premiums are set according to age and like other insurances in this country children under 18 don’t pay. The package includes a postmortem, coffin, airlifting the body and return air ticket for the person accompanying the body.
Before the end of the seminar, Mr. John Njuba briefly explained how a similar scheme 10 years ago failed to take off. Members religiously paid the premium for 3 months, sadly the payments were made to individuals, and the scheme buckled when the then Uganda community organization collapsed.
The seminar was very interesting and interactive and Paul promised to visit us from time to time to register those interested in taking up the insurance. Registration is now open and you can do that with Ibra. Whenever, an appropriate number is gathered, Paul promised to return when invited. For registration send an email to Ibra: ibrandaula@yahoo.com
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