SINT MAARTEN – Mélanie Choisy (1990) of the Be the Change Foundation on Sint Maarten received the Soldier of Orange prize from the hand of Karna Hazelhoff Castellon, Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema’s daughter. Every year, the Soldier of Orange Fund, which is part of the Oranje Fonds, awards young people for addressing a social problem within their community, just like the original Soldier of Orange (Soldaat van Oranje), Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, did in his day.
Be the Change Foundation
Mélanie Choisy created the Be Change Foundation together with her aunt Erika Cannegieter, in 2012. Every month, the foundation selects an NGO project, to raise money by means of crowd funding to support that project, or to create awareness within society of a variety of topics, such as poverty, culture and the environment. After her aunt passed away, Mélanie also started the Erika Cannegieter Scholarship Fund, open for applications for financial support to young people who could use a helping hand during their studies.
Life after the hurricane
In 2017, Sint Maarten was severely hit by hurricane Irma. Mélanie got to work straight away and contributed greatly to the distribution of drinking water and supplies for people in need. Because of all her initiatives and tremendous involvement, Mélanie has become a local celebrity that is greatly loved on Sint Maarten.
‘Tireless efforts’
“All that Mélanie has accomplished with her tireless efforts on Sint Maarten is of great importance to the island’s community. It makes me very proud that we may reward her for that with this beautiful prize”, says Peter Douwes, president of the Oranje Fonds. Fred Boot, producer of Soldier of Orange – The Musical, explains: “Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema stood up for his ideals, and dedicated himself to society. Mélanie Choisy does precisely that. We are very proud to be able to support Mélanie’s efforts with the Soldier of Orange
Fund, in cooperation with the Oranje Fonds!”
Soldier of Orange Fund
The Oranje Fonds supports social initiatives in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. In 2010, when launching their musical, the producers of Soldier of Orange
- The Musical established a nominative fund within the Oranje Fonds. The award, which
this year is presented for the tenth time, consists of a certificate and a cash prize of
5,000 euros. You may support the fund by transferring an amount to NL70 INGB 0000
8884 44 in the name of Oranje Fonds in Utrecht, stating ‘Soldaat van Oranje’. All
donations will be awarded entirely to young initiators of social projects.
