About

As long as we can remember, there have been conflicts all across the world. And, as long as there have been conflicts, there have been refugees and internally displaced people. These people are forced to flee out of fear for their safety, leaving everything behind—their homes, their hopes, their families and memories—and suffer often from physical and psychological trauma. They often find safety and comfort in refugee camps, however, the living conditions can be harsh.

Everyday Refugees Foundation aims to help refugees, local communities and people displaced internally by war, natural disasters, discrimination and poverty in the following ways:

Raise public awareness

Our goal is to raise public awareness by documenting and sharing their stories with you. On our social media feeds and this website, you will find pictures of their daily lives, their struggles and the little sparks of hope that remain, despite their circumstances. We raise awareness by providing lectures, exhibitions, and presentations in order to create understanding about the global refugee crisis, and, furthermore, to get people more involved and aware.

Public Benefit Organisation (PBO)

Everyday Refugees Foundation is designated by the Dutch tax office as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO). This means that, among other things, we comply with the following rules:

• At least 90% of the foundation's efforts are focused on the general good
• We only work with people that comply to strict integrity requirements
• The directors' remuneration is restricted

Donations to the foundation are therefore tax-deductible for the income or corporation tax (subject to the applicable regulations) in the Netherlands. Because of the fact that we do not have to pay gift tax or inheritance tax, your full donations will support our mission.

Publications for ANBI →

Executive Board

The leadership team guiding our mission and operations.

Muhammed Muheisen

Chairman

Muhammed Muheisen is a world-renowned photographer. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, a National Geographic photojournalist and Explorer, the founder and chairman of the Dutch non-profit organization Everyday Refugees Foundation, and a Global Ambassador for the Jordan Tourism Board. In 2013, TIME Magazine named him the Best Wire Photographer, and in 2023, he received the National Geographic Wayfinder Award.

Muheisen's impactful work has been exhibited globally, capturing the struggles of displaced communities and the refugee crisis over the past two decades. His life and achievements were featured in the National Geographic documentary ‘Muhammed Muheisen: Finding the Light’, which is currently streaming on Disney+, Hulu, and Prime.

Elke Niedringhaus

Secretary

A journalist based in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. Elke graduated with two university degrees, one of them in Cultural Journalism.

Rosanna Wijngaards

Treasurer

Born in 1982 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Graduated with a degree in administration. Currently, she is the Managing Director of the Dutch non-profit organization Stichting Everyday Refugees and the Co-Founder.

Previously, she worked at the World Press Photo Foundation in Amsterdam for over a decade. Among others, Rosanna is a communication specialist and social media strategist who carried out and executed dozens of campaigns and projects that helped refugees, internally displaced people and local communities in different parts of the world through her role with Everyday Refugees Foundation.

Board of Advisors

Experts and advocates who support our work with guidance and expertise.

Sonia Ben Ammar

Model & Artist

Sonia Ben Ammar is a French 27-year-old model and artist. Starting at a young age she has featured in many variety TV shows in France, starred in French movie Jappeloup and performed in the Frenchbroadway musical Les Amants de la Bastille. Since 2016, she is signed at IMG models’ agency and has worked with the likes of brands such as Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, MiuMiu, Carolina Herrera, Top Shop. Sonia has been working on her debut music album for two years. She is currently studying Music at USC.

Bas van Voorst

Legal Advisor

Until 2019, Bas van Voorst had his own legal practice and held a number of positions in the social field. After he got his masters degree in corporate law, he joined De Roos Advocaten. This modern Amsterdam-based law firm focusses on growth, tech and social enterprises, varying from start-ups to larger international corporations. Their lawyers specialize in corporate law, intellectual property law and privacy law.

With his legal expertise and experience, Bas advises and assists Everyday Refugees Foundation on legal issues, ranging from the fiscal ANBI status to the contracts and corporate structure of the foundation.

Kathy Gannon

Former special correspondent AP

Kathy Gannon served as special regional correspondent for Pakistan and Afghanistan for The Associated Press. She has covered the region for the AP as a correspondent and bureau chief since 1988, a period that spans the withdrawal of Russian soldiers from Afghanistan, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the bitter Afghan civil war between Islamic factions and the rise and fall of the Taliban. Gannon was the only Western journalist allowed in Kabul by the Taliban in the weeks preceding the 2001 U.S.-British offensive in Afghanistan. In April 2014 Gannon was seriously wounded while covering preparations for Afghan national elections when an Afghan police officer opened fire on the car in which she was riding. Her colleague and close friend, AP photographer Anja Niedringhaus, was killed in the attack. A native of Timmins, Ontario, Canada, she was the city editor at the Kelowna Courier in British Columbia and worked at several Canadian newspapers before her career took her overseas. She has lived in Israel, Japan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including:

International Women’s Media Foundation Courage In Journalism Award
Overseas Press Club Award for best newspaper or wire service reporting from abroad
Edward R. Murrow Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
AP Oliver S. Gramling Award in Journalism

In 2005 Gannon authored “I is for Infidel: From Holy War, to Holy Terror, 18 Years Inside Afghanistan,” an examination of the Taliban and post-Taliban period, published by Public Affairs.

Jasper van der Zee

Municipality of Amsterdam

Jasper van der Zee worked as a manager at the municipality of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Among other responsibilities at the municipality of Amsterdam, Jasper coordinates housing distribution, allocations and provides vulnerable people with appropriate housing. He also volunteers to help refugees in the Netherlands since the refugee crisis in Europe.

Website: https://www.amsterdam.nl/wonen-leefomgeving/wonen/

Quentin Newton

Software Specialist

Quentin Newton graduated with first-class honors in computer science from the University of East London. He began his career working in a VR startup, where he gained valuable experience in developing cutting-edge VR technologies. Now, Quentin founded his own software company, Quencode, which specializes in creating custom websites and mobile applications.

Khaled Jamal Alkour

Entrepreneur | Managing Director, META ART LOUNGE

Khaled Jamal Alkour is a Jordanian entrepreneur based in Dubai, with more than 25 years of business experience spanning Dubai, Amman, and China. He is the Managing Director of META ART LOUNGE, where he leads the company’s strategic direction, operations, partnerships, and growth across the art, design, décor, and lifestyle sectors.

Throughout his career, Khaled has developed extensive experience in product sourcing, custom manufacturing, gifting, commercial partnerships, and international business development. His entrepreneurial approach combines strategic thinking with practical execution, supported by a strong regional and international network.

Khaled focuses on building sustainable businesses, developing strategic partnerships, and creating opportunities that connect people, products, and markets. His experience across multiple markets has given him a practical understanding of international business, cross-border sourcing, and commercial development.

Based in Dubai, Khaled brings a pragmatic, relationship-driven, and results-oriented approach to entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on creating meaningful partnerships and developing businesses across the art, design, décor, and lifestyle sectors.