Fund In Name: Doris Tuapante Children's Fund
The Pierhagen family has supported SOS Children's Villages since 1980. When their adopted son, Tico Pierhagen, first returned to his native Colombia in 2008, he had many questions. His family encouraged him to search for answers. In Colombia, Tico met his biological family and visited an SOS Children's Village. This made such an impression on him and his Dutch family that they set up a Named Fund : the Doris Tuapante Children's Fund.
Tico Pierhagen visited Colombia in 2008 and met his biological family there. ''Before that time, I often felt empty and out of place. The visit to Colombia changed that. You are a more complete person when you know where you come from.'' His family understands this completely: "The principle of letting a child grow up in the country where he was born really appeals to us", says his Dutch mother Andel Pierhagen. That is also the reason why the Pierhagen family supports SOS Children's Villages. If the possibilities are there, the preference is always to let a child grow up in the country where he was born with his own family. That is what the family strengthening programs within SOS Children's Villages stand for. "With these programs you really get to the core. We feel at home with the formula of SOS Children's Villages: the family, the family, that is the basis", explains Mrs. Pierhagen.
'I am a more complete person now that I know where I come from'
Tico Pierhagen
Doris Tuapante Children's Fund
Andel and Wandert Pierhagen, Tico's parents, have been supporting SOS Children's Villages since 1980. After Tico met his Colombian family in 2008 and visited an SOS children's village, his Dutch parents and sister followed him to Colombia in 2009. The family wanted to become more involved with SOS Children's Villages because of this trip. It was clear to them: family is the basis, but this is not self-evident for every child. In order to make an extra contribution, they set up a Named Fund. "With a Named Fund, the involvement is very high. You support specific projects and remain connected for several years."
The Doris Tuapante Children's Fund is named after Tico's deceased biological mother. It took several years before Tico realized what the fund means to him. He now sees the fund as the link to his two worlds: Colombia and the Netherlands. And as something that can be passed on to future generations. "My parents came up with the structure, but they are also getting older. They are very happy that I want to continue the fund, together with my sister Maartje. We give our own twist to the fund, in which we complement each other well."
Maartje and Tico will take full charge of the Doris Tuapante Fund from 2022. They are very much looking forward to an impactful collaboration with SOS Children's Villages and hope to inspire others: "By being creative together, you come up with new ideas and inspiring initiatives."
Passion for music
Tico shares one great passion with his biological family in Colombia: “As a small child I already danced to Cumbia, a Colombian music and dance style. Now I know it is in my genes. My biological family gets the most pleasure from making music.”
Together with renowned musicians from his native country, Tico forms the band 'Tico y Aguabajo' in Colombia. Half of the proceeds from all his albums go to SOS Children's Villages. He is also busy organizing a benefit concert. Ideally, Tico would like to make music more accessible to children in the SOS Children's Villages, with musical instruments and music lessons.
Music has always been important to Tico. His parents emphasize the importance of giving children the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment and discover what they like. “He went to Colombia to find music and found his biological family there. Music connected them as a family and now he spreads this music all over the world,” says Tico’s Dutch father, Wandert, proudly. Tico: “I don’t make music to make money or to become famous, I make music because it makes me happy and I want to spread this happiness. I see that in my Colombian family too. They are so grateful to be able to make music. Gratitude is really something I learned in Colombia. They have a lot less there, but their gratitude is immense.”
'I don't make music to make money or to become famous, I make music because it makes me happy and I want to spread this happiness'
Tico Pierhagen
Colombia
Tico has good contact with his family in Colombia. He also regularly goes back to make songs with his band. More than ten years ago, during his first trip to Colombia, he visited the SOS Children's Village in Bogotá, where he made a short documentary about SOS Children's Villages. Since then, SOS Children's Villages has been an important part of his life. A few weeks ago, he went back to the village to record the changes that have taken place in the village and to gain new inspiration. Watch the special film he made below.
Named Fund
A Named Fund is a special way of giving or leaving a legacy. It is, as it were, a private fund within SOS Children's Villages. You choose a name and also decide for yourself what the money is spent on. In this way, you are and remain intensively involved. A Named Fund is easy to set up, also via your will. Read all about special ways of giving here.
Personal contact
Interested in setting up a Named Fund or want to know more? Feel free to contact Lisette Fentener van Vlissingen via lisette@soskinderdorpen.nl or 06 302 899 36.