Mirjam Olsthoorn – Initiator and Ecological Pedagogue
Border areas generate an abundance of dynamics and development. This applies to nature and, therefore, to all life. Mirjam loves the edge, finding solace in intensity and questions, beauty and rawness, chaos and surprises.
As a natural scientist and systems thinker, Mirjam enjoys working at the intersection of education, care, and self-sufficient living. Her journeys through the Netherlands, South America, and Portugal taught her that life is not something to be controlled; it is something to be lived—without fear, in simplicity and empathy, with surrender and a wink, day by day.
- Sharing with and understanding children and young people who experience life differently…
- Learning in freedom with those who are the beautiful exception to the sheepish rule…
- Witnessing the step-by-step emergence of creative talents, joy, and confidence…
- Challenging conventions and transforming them into playful attributes on the stage of life…
Mirjam directs the Ponderosa, guides young people with humor and passion, conducts research in ecological pedagogy, cultivates and processes medicinal plants, and enjoys making excursions into the world of rock music.
Martijn Sikkens – Mentor and Musician
Playing around until you find a tune.
Spontaneous co-creation.
Diving into something new with playful joy.
The Ponderosa offers Martijn a rich palette of resources (nature, culture) to connect with the place and with others, allowing him to develop himself.
Humor and playful interaction, but also depth and thoughtful engagement.
He seeks and finds both in guiding young people at Ponderosa.
Lunch table conversations are often valuable because there is peace, as well as connection.
Philosophical discussions full of humor. Playful, sometimes passionate debates, sharing of knowledge and facts.
Young people who become inspired and follow their passions in freedom.
It is incredibly beautiful to follow this sometimes erratic learning journey and occasionally intersect with it in interaction.
Martijn is married and lives with his wife, children, dog, and horse in Zutphen. After half a life as a mentor in healthcare and as an English, Drama, and Music teacher, he traveled long distances with a covered wagon as Swiebertje and Mammaloe. Now he is a musical project mentor at Ponderosa, living from songwriting and performances.
Although he has a Master’s degree in Special Education, he does not see himself as a traditional teacher—and luckily so. He doesn’t receive apples but picks them together with the young people, just like he picks the day. Ponderosa carpe diem!
Tom Smit – Financial Director and Clay Plasterer
Tom is a jack-of-all-trades who takes on important (board) tasks within Ponderosa and executes them hands-on. He joined our network, recognized the heart and vision of the place, dived in spontaneously, and now fits in like a fish in water.
He proudly calls himself a notorious school dropout and serves as a living example for young people. He embraces the fringes and rough edges, seeking authenticity in care in the truest sense of the word.
Tom oversees financial management, but as a resident within the Ponderosa community, he is deeply involved in daily life. In his spontaneous interactions with Ponderosa’s young people, he brings his many skills and interests: music and technology are just a few of the many arrows in his quiver.
Begüm Yeşildağ – Mentor, Photographer, and Musician
Our first encounter with Begüm was in 2019. She joined us as a volunteer through the Workaway program. Although Begüm holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, she makes her living as a musician and photographer. During the month we spent together, Begüm began making music with our students and created a music video for them. Over time, we built a strong bond.
In 2020, Begüm returned to join us as a mentor. She has lived in the Netherlands for three years with her husband and baby. She completed her training as a social worker and carries out creative projects with the young people at Ponderosa while continuing to improve her Dutch. At the same time, the young people strengthen their English skills with her help.
Additionally, Begüm loves cooking and prepares dishes from different world cuisines with the young people, which they enjoy together.
Karen Overdijkink – Guide, Lawyer, and Coach
Karen transitioned from democratic education to Ponderosa. Her life path is a winding road with many interesting stops. Trained and starting out as a lawyer, her journey has taken her through full-time motherhood, lactation consultancy, orthomolecular medicine and nutrition in general, entrepreneurship, youth guidance, heart intelligence, and coaching for both young people and adults.
Karen is an observer and works in her coaching based on her observations and what is possible in the present moment. She is curious, eager to learn, and driven—always looking for new possibilities and improvements in herself, others, her surroundings, and the world. She enjoys stimulating and inspiring others in this process.
She is committed to creating a safe and comfortable space (both energetically and physically) to enable and support development. She strives to offer a stable foundation in the turbulent world of teenagers and young adults.
Karen deeply enjoys being with young people and observing the processes they go through. She is curious and intrigued by what makes each young person tick. She seeks and establishes connections and links within the inner landscape and in relation to the environment.
Karen loves dancing, singing, crafting, playing (board) games, learning and discovering new things, and enjoying nutritious and delicious food. She likes to take action but also appreciates moments of idleness or deep conversations. She advocates for reuse and an ecological lifestyle. In addition to her work at Ponderosa, she also coaches individuals with developmental questions.
Josué Rietman – Guide and Psychologist in Training
Josué is an expert by experience at Ponderosa. After participating as a young person for several years, he naturally took on more and more guiding roles. He spent nearly two years in this limbo, acting as a communication channel between young people and guides. Once he had gained sufficient experience and started his bachelor’s degree in psychology, he emerged as a fully-fledged “senior” guide.
Since then, Josué has taken on various roles within Ponderosa’s dynamic environment. He serves as a counterbalance to opinions that are taken for granted and has a talent for finding common ground in conflicts. With a broad range of interests and corresponding knowledge, he connects with almost every young person—especially when it comes to music, philosophy, psychology, geek and pop culture, fashion, STEM sciences, history, and role-playing games.
He demonstrates that there is no such thing as “normal”—and that it’s completely okay to embrace that. With him, there is no judgment or condemnation, which fosters a deep sense of trust between him and the young people.
Anne Bourgonje – Pedagogue, Nature Coach, Psychosocial Therapist, Yoga Teacher
Anne is someone who asks critical questions and wants to understand the “why” behind things. During her Pedagogy studies, she noticed that many things were done simply because they had always been done that way, without questioning whether there might be a better approach. This was unsatisfactory for her, so she delved beyond the standard curriculum into parenting without rewards and punishments, democratic education, and the human-nature connection that is so often missing in Western society. She believes in letting children simply be, without constantly interfering or exerting control.
For a study project, she developed a plan for a community where living, care, and education seamlessly intertwined—a green space where people lived in connection with one another, with room for authenticity and creativity.
Ten years later, tired of the conventional working life and living in her van in the forest, she received a call about a “care institution” where she might be able to work. Although she wasn’t looking for a job, Ponderosa turned out to be exactly the place she had been searching for. It felt like coming home.
“If you let murky water sit still, it will eventually clear.” A Taoist wisdom or a cliché internet quote—perhaps a bit of both. For Anne, it encapsulates her character and her way of living and working, likely influenced by her father, who introduced her to fragments of Taoism. Time and again, she finds it to be true, and Ponderosa is a unique place that allows space for this philosophy. By giving young people peace and freedom, they naturally start to discover and develop themselves.
Anne is an observer, an analyst, someone who doesn’t intervene too quickly but enjoys seeing what unfolds in the moment and going along with it. She works with humor and a sense of equality, never placing herself above the young people. She enjoys taking walks, playing games, practicing yoga, and singing. She is eager to learn and always open to discovering new things. One of the things she loves about Ponderosa is that there are no fixed teacher-student roles—everyone learns with and from each other, and every day is different.
Enric Ortí – Language Teacher, Guide, Magician
Enric came to Ponderosa as a volunteer in 2022. In Spain, he worked as an English teacher at a high school, and he decided to take a year off to travel the world. Ponderosa was his first stop. When he found love, joy, and amazing people here, he decided to stay longer, and now he is part of this big family.
By not only working here but also living with some team members and young people, he built a strong bond with everyone. Today, he works as a freelance Spanish teacher and as a language instructor and guide at Ponderosa.
Teaching languages may be his expertise, but he never forgets the most important thing: connecting with young people and creating a friendly, welcoming environment. He might surprise you with a magic trick or playfully untie your shoelaces.
Additionally, he has a passion for cooking—boring meals are not an option for him. He always enjoys adding a touch of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, preparing delicious dishes that everyone loves, often using ingredients his family sends directly from his hometown. Even the pickiest eaters can’t resist his specialties.
Bente Vinke – Volunteer, Cultural Studies Student, and Artist
Bente has been a familiar face at Ponderosa for several years and has been a volunteer since 2023. She is studying General Cultural Studies and enjoys talking with young people about history, philosophy, culture, and art. She also loves engaging in creative projects such as painting, drawing, or upcycling clothing.
She enjoys cooking, either for or with the young people. Food holds a special place in her heart, and through cooking and sharing meals, she connects with others and with nature. To her, food and cooking are more than just nourishment for the body. In many cultures, meals are a moment of connection and tradition—something passed down through generations, cherished as a ritual that binds communities and preserves traditions.
Bente’s passion for creativity, culture, and sharing meals reflects her values of learning together, growing, and forming deeper connections with others.
With her enthusiasm and dedication, Bente brings a unique energy to Ponderosa, where she not only shares knowledge but also spreads warmth, inspiration, and a love for life.