The Yme Foundation is a Norwegain humanitarian organization specializing in water, sanitation and vocational education. We believe that access to clean water and education is crucial to enable people's participation in societal and democratic change.
Yme was founded on the belief that passionate specialists and volunteers can lighten the burden of the world's poor through sensible and responsible management of knowledge and technology.
Yme aims to provide effective and efficient aid to the world's poorest, with a particular focus on women and children in developing countries.
Who we are:
General Manager
Geir Ommundsen
Engineer with extensive experience in both development and emergency work in Africa and the Balkans. He has led large development programs in Western and Central Africa. Very well acquainted with African culture, Geir has extensive experience in administration and personnel leadership in a multicultural environment.
Director of Water and the Environment
Margrete Ånestad Røer
Margrete holds a Masters degree in technology (civil engineering) within water and environmental techniques from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) at Ås, Norway. Margrete has worked for Yme since August 2007 and is managing Yme projects in Somalia.
Program Manager of Water and Sanitation
Robert Baligira
Robert began work at Yme during the Spring of 2008. He is a hydro-geologist with broad experience working with water resources and developmental issues with relation to water. Before he began working for Yme, Robert lectured at the Kigali Institute for Science and Technology and at the University in Bergen. Robert is originally from Rwanda and now lives with his wife and children in Vegårshei, South Norway.
Information and Fundraising Executive –
Kamilla Solheim
Kamilla began working at Yme in August 2008. She has a Masters degreee in "Multicultural and Developmental Education" from Oslo University College. Since she finished her studies she has worked in teacher training in Cambodia. Now she lives in Risør with her husband and two daughters.
Project Coordinator for Mozambique -
Danie Esterhyuse
Experience from running the Enthembeni Skills Training Facility in South Africa. During the years Danie has had various consultancy assignments for Yme, and is now hired in a 50% position.
Yme representative in Angola -
Tako Koning,
Tako is educated in geology and resource economy. Former manager at Chevron Texaco with 31 years of experience within the oil sector worldwide. During the last 10 years Tako has worked in Angola.
The Board of Trustees:
Chairman of the board – Christel-Grünther Nanz
Deputy chairwoman – Marianne S. Lyngvi
Trustee – Johannes Sannesmoen
Trustee – Leif Svalesen
Trustee – Nina Holte
Background:
Yme first developed in the late 1980's when a group of geology, hydrology and engineering specialists joined forces with a vision to contribute to rural development in Africa. In 1993 Yme was registered as a Norwegian humanitarian organization, neutral to politics and religious views.
From it's start Yme has made itself distinct due to it's focus in vocational training. Through their technical expertise, the founders sought to improve the solutions in water and sanitation projects in developing countries.
From the mid-1990s, the organization has operated as a consultant for other Norwegian aid organizations, implementing water and sanitation projects on their behalf in Africa, Asia and in the Balkans.
Yme is a small and effective organization with specialists who can quickly deliver solid solutions adapted to local needs.
In 2003 Yme established a new program area - vocational training. This came about from the experience of implementing water and sanitation projects, displaying the need for skilled labour.
Yme's commitment to vocational training is also anchored in the UN millennium goals, according to which education represents one of the most specific means of poverty reduction. Vocational training is important in the development of the production sector, crucial to industrialization.
Yme's goal is to be a leading catalyst for development.
Yme has focused on aiding particularly marginalized groups. The organization targets the most impoverished regions in the collaborating countries, areas where few other NGO's are active. Another priority is for the projects to be anchored to local partner organizations. This secures the commitment of both local government and society.
From it's foundation in the 1980's until to 2005 Yme was based in the Norwegain capital of Oslo. Since 2006, the office has moved to Vegårshei in Aust-Agder, in Southern Norway. As a specialized organization, Yme depends on a locale which provides aid and support to it objectives. This has been found in Aust-Agder, Ubergsmoen, Vegårshei.
Yme aims to become a meeting place for those interested in development/aid in the region.
