The Board
Suzanna van den Elshout - Chairperson
Suzanna van den Elshout was born October 28, 1962 in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, from newly immigrated Dutch parents. Pursuing a career as a medical professional, she graduated from Humber College for Applied and Technological Science in 1989, and carries a Registered Nurse license through the College of Nurses in Ontario. While practicing in an active medical / surgical department in South Florida, Suzanna studied and received the CCRN (Clinical Care Certificate) and spent an additional 2 years in the surgical intensive care area. Suzanna returned to Ontario to practice nursing in Toronto, during that time, she became active in volunteering for several nature based NGOs including an ad hoc group that traveled to Saba in early 2000 to reopen several interior trails damaged by Hurricane Lenny (November, 1999). Suzanna returned to Saba independently in the spring of 2000 and voluntarily presented nursing in-services to the medical staff of A. M. Edwards Medical Center. Hired on as full time staff in September 2000, she actively volunteered at several NGOs and is a member of AIDS Support Group Saba foundation since January 2007. Suzanna advocates against stigma and discrimination for all PLHIV and AIDS and promotes educational programs to encourage awareness and activism in our fight against HIV/AIDS.
Suzanna van den Elshout - Chairperson
Suzanna van den Elshout was born October 28, 1962 in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, from newly immigrated Dutch parents. Pursuing a career as a medical professional, she graduated from Humber College for Applied and Technological Science in 1989, and carries a Registered Nurse license through the College of Nurses in Ontario. While practicing in an active medical / surgical department in South Florida, Suzanna studied and received the CCRN (Clinical Care Certificate) and spent an additional 2 years in the surgical intensive care area. Suzanna returned to Ontario to practice nursing in Toronto, during that time, she became active in volunteering for several nature based NGOs including an ad hoc group that traveled to Saba in early 2000 to reopen several interior trails damaged by Hurricane Lenny (November, 1999). Suzanna returned to Saba independently in the spring of 2000 and voluntarily presented nursing in-services to the medical staff of A. M. Edwards Medical Center. Hired on as full time staff in September 2000, she actively volunteered at several NGOs and is a member of AIDS Support Group Saba foundation since January 2007. Suzanna advocates against stigma and discrimination for all PLHIV and AIDS and promotes educational programs to encourage awareness and activism in our fight against HIV/AIDS.
Bastiaan Janssens – Secretary
Bastiaan is the secretary of the board, having served in this position for over 2 years and works as the Office Manager of the Rijkdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN) on Saba Island. He is a dedicated volunteer on the foundation’s programs, in particular the implementation of the Real Men program at the Saba Comprehensive School. Originally from Belgium, he arrived on Saba over 4 years ago, fell in love and married Saba-born Angelita Peterson, making this community his home. In Belgium he studied for becoming inspector of federal police but resigned from the force and worked in the hospitality industry. He is passionate about community outreach and volunteering and is the current Tamer for the Saba Lions Club as well as advisory member for the Saba Leo Club.
Bastiaan is the secretary of the board, having served in this position for over 2 years and works as the Office Manager of the Rijkdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN) on Saba Island. He is a dedicated volunteer on the foundation’s programs, in particular the implementation of the Real Men program at the Saba Comprehensive School. Originally from Belgium, he arrived on Saba over 4 years ago, fell in love and married Saba-born Angelita Peterson, making this community his home. In Belgium he studied for becoming inspector of federal police but resigned from the force and worked in the hospitality industry. He is passionate about community outreach and volunteering and is the current Tamer for the Saba Lions Club as well as advisory member for the Saba Leo Club.
Rudolph A. T. D. Hassell - Treasurer
Rudolph A. T. D. Hassell is one of the primary-founding members of AIDS Support Group Saba foundation, and until recently was the face for the organization with regards to PLHIV. Rudolph Hassell is an active member with the BMS-ASGS and presently holds the post of Treasurer within the organization. Rudolph Hassell has spoken openly, both locally and abroad, about his infection with HIV. In particular the stigma and discrimination that the first few persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1989 on Saba experienced and endured, is one of his interests when one follows the evolvement of tolerance and support to PLHIV on the island, not only within the family circle and the greater social community, but also within the workplace. Much of his efforts today are also focused on the fundraising component of the ASGS as he is determined to see the organization flourish and continue to reach out to all on our island and beyond when possible.
Rudolph A. T. D. Hassell is one of the primary-founding members of AIDS Support Group Saba foundation, and until recently was the face for the organization with regards to PLHIV. Rudolph Hassell is an active member with the BMS-ASGS and presently holds the post of Treasurer within the organization. Rudolph Hassell has spoken openly, both locally and abroad, about his infection with HIV. In particular the stigma and discrimination that the first few persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1989 on Saba experienced and endured, is one of his interests when one follows the evolvement of tolerance and support to PLHIV on the island, not only within the family circle and the greater social community, but also within the workplace. Much of his efforts today are also focused on the fundraising component of the ASGS as he is determined to see the organization flourish and continue to reach out to all on our island and beyond when possible.
Carl Buncamper - Advisor to the Board
Carl Buncamper was born and raised on the island of St. Maarten, Dutch Caribbean. He attended university in the United States of America, focusing on medicine but changing direction to social and business focused degrees. Additionally, he has achieved numerous certifications from ranging from Counseling LGBTI / HIV & AIDS, Grant Application Writing, Training Vocational Education, Seminars on Applied Politics and Election Campaigns (ODCA and SIPACE), a “Master’s in Project Management” through Microsoft, as well as being fluent in English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamentu.
In 2007 Carl contested the local island council election and won a seat in the island council. Carl is presently serving his third 4-year term in the Island Council and remains committed and focused on Human Rights including LGBTI.
For more than 10 years Carl’s career has been in a supervisory role (watchdog role) for the Youth Opportunity Program(s) and other social initiatives to ensure no child or young adult is left behind.
Carl is active in volunteering, namely focusing in the areas related to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, Gender Empowerment, Social Issues, conservation & environmental issues, and is a founding member of the Pink Orange Alliance, which consists of representatives of all the Dutch Caribbean Islands and the Netherlands. An organization that dedicates itself to all matters LGBTI.
Carl has co-authored a few abstracts and co-facilitated a workshop and co-presented/co-facilitated for/at the International AIDS Conferences, with a focus on sensitizing media and the correlation between Unemployment, Poverty and AIDS.
Carl Buncamper was born and raised on the island of St. Maarten, Dutch Caribbean. He attended university in the United States of America, focusing on medicine but changing direction to social and business focused degrees. Additionally, he has achieved numerous certifications from ranging from Counseling LGBTI / HIV & AIDS, Grant Application Writing, Training Vocational Education, Seminars on Applied Politics and Election Campaigns (ODCA and SIPACE), a “Master’s in Project Management” through Microsoft, as well as being fluent in English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamentu.
In 2007 Carl contested the local island council election and won a seat in the island council. Carl is presently serving his third 4-year term in the Island Council and remains committed and focused on Human Rights including LGBTI.
For more than 10 years Carl’s career has been in a supervisory role (watchdog role) for the Youth Opportunity Program(s) and other social initiatives to ensure no child or young adult is left behind.
Carl is active in volunteering, namely focusing in the areas related to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, Gender Empowerment, Social Issues, conservation & environmental issues, and is a founding member of the Pink Orange Alliance, which consists of representatives of all the Dutch Caribbean Islands and the Netherlands. An organization that dedicates itself to all matters LGBTI.
Carl has co-authored a few abstracts and co-facilitated a workshop and co-presented/co-facilitated for/at the International AIDS Conferences, with a focus on sensitizing media and the correlation between Unemployment, Poverty and AIDS.
Johan Schaeffer - Programs coordinator
In 2006, Body, Mind & Spirit Foundation (then known as AIDS Support Group Saba Foundation) took on its first programs coordinator to assist in the implementation of the foundation’s activities. Under the guidance of these committed members of staff, the foundation has become a pillar in the Saban community, advocating for the sexual and reproductive health of all residents of Saba, especially among vulnerable populations on the island.
Since August 2015, Johan oversees the implementation of all BMS-ASGS Foundation’s programs. He handles project management, facilitates educational workshops in the field of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, develops and implements public relations strategies and marketing campaigns within the community. He oversees the foundation’s administration, grant proposal writing and reporting.
Johan has been living on Saba since October 2012. After getting his Masters in Film & Television studies at Utrecht University, a career as a content producer/researcher for national (science) television in the Netherlands and a year as head media & IT on an international school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Johan and his wife decided to settle on Saba. Johan’s experience with a great variety of television shows has trained him to take on different projects, educate himself quickly on the things that matter and spread the message. In his own words: “I’m a storyteller. The challenge is always to keep people hooked or spark their interest. If your message is remembered and spread, you’re already halfway there. Far better of course is if your story is the talk of the day. Create many sparks and eventually there will be fire!”
In 2006, Body, Mind & Spirit Foundation (then known as AIDS Support Group Saba Foundation) took on its first programs coordinator to assist in the implementation of the foundation’s activities. Under the guidance of these committed members of staff, the foundation has become a pillar in the Saban community, advocating for the sexual and reproductive health of all residents of Saba, especially among vulnerable populations on the island.
Since August 2015, Johan oversees the implementation of all BMS-ASGS Foundation’s programs. He handles project management, facilitates educational workshops in the field of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, develops and implements public relations strategies and marketing campaigns within the community. He oversees the foundation’s administration, grant proposal writing and reporting.
Johan has been living on Saba since October 2012. After getting his Masters in Film & Television studies at Utrecht University, a career as a content producer/researcher for national (science) television in the Netherlands and a year as head media & IT on an international school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Johan and his wife decided to settle on Saba. Johan’s experience with a great variety of television shows has trained him to take on different projects, educate himself quickly on the things that matter and spread the message. In his own words: “I’m a storyteller. The challenge is always to keep people hooked or spark their interest. If your message is remembered and spread, you’re already halfway there. Far better of course is if your story is the talk of the day. Create many sparks and eventually there will be fire!”
Honorary Member
Naomi Wilson
‘‘Nurse Omi’ as she is affectionately known by most of the population has been active with the BMS-ASGS Foundation since its inception in early 1990. As the head nurse at the A. M. Edwards Medical Center since 1986, Nurse Naomi Wilson has been a pillar in our community always extending her caring hands and mind to those in need.
Those living with or affected by the HIV pandemic have experienced this ‘caring’ first hand. With her demand and schedules becoming more hectic with time Nurse Omi has managed to stay abreast with the programs of the ASGS and remains an important source of information and communication between the hospital and the ASGS. She is always willing to contribute where she can in whatever manner is needed and possible. She continues to upgrade her skills while managing the daily operation at the hospital under guidance of the doctors
Naomi Wilson
‘‘Nurse Omi’ as she is affectionately known by most of the population has been active with the BMS-ASGS Foundation since its inception in early 1990. As the head nurse at the A. M. Edwards Medical Center since 1986, Nurse Naomi Wilson has been a pillar in our community always extending her caring hands and mind to those in need.
Those living with or affected by the HIV pandemic have experienced this ‘caring’ first hand. With her demand and schedules becoming more hectic with time Nurse Omi has managed to stay abreast with the programs of the ASGS and remains an important source of information and communication between the hospital and the ASGS. She is always willing to contribute where she can in whatever manner is needed and possible. She continues to upgrade her skills while managing the daily operation at the hospital under guidance of the doctors