Content
– Book "I am Who?"
– Own foundation with ANBI status
– Update on renovation of Hoeve "The Inner Garden"
– Additional call for (disappointing) rebuilding costs
– New: mini-course "I want to know more about that!"
– Application stop
Book "I am Who?"
Friends of Esthers has been privileged to release an extraordinary book that depicts a portrayal of satanic ritual abuse that is as vivid as it is terrifying. It contains drawings created by a survivor that give a penetrating insight into the experiences and trauma of victims.
We hope that partly because of this book, people will be touched by the uncomfortable and harrowing reality of organised sexual abuse and will not look away.
We intend to give the book attention in national politics as well, as part of a call for new, independent research into satanic ritual abuse. As most of you know, the Hendriks Commission report (2022) did not do justice to the seriousness of the issue. Indeed, it has further muddied the path to detection and justice for victims.
As a public moment in national politics is still some time away, the book "I am Who?" is available from today via the website Lichtoplevens.co.uk and on sale at upcoming information evenings for 20 euros. We believe this book can help people wake up to the terrible injustice of satanic ritual abuse.
We hope that partly because of this book, people will be touched by the uncomfortable and harrowing reality of organised sexual abuse and will not look away.
We intend to give the book attention in national politics as well, as part of a call for new, independent research into satanic ritual abuse. As most of you know, the Hendriks Commission report (2022) did not do justice to the seriousness of the issue. Indeed, it has further muddied the path to detection and justice for victims.
As a public moment in national politics is still some time away, the book "I am Who?" is on sale for 20 euros from today via the website Lichtoplevens.nl and at upcoming information evenings. We believe this book can help people wake up to the terrible injustice of satanic ritual abuse.
Own foundation with ANBI status
The work of Friends of Esthers is growing. For instance, new 'friends' have joined; we first get to know them extensively and then they help where possible in various areas, from chores at the Hoeve to growing as a networking friend for a survivor.
We are grateful for the growth, which also brings new responsibilities to deal carefully with a larger group of people and support them in this special volunteer work.
We are pleased to announce that the Friends of Esthers Foundation, which we established last summer, has now also been granted ANBI status. Our own bank account is: NL47 BUNQ 2068 8889 39. Would you please transfer your donations to this from now on? Thank you very much in advance.
Donations still coming in to 4Justice for Friends of Esthers will continue to be paid through 2025.
Update on renovation of Hoeve "The Inner Garden"
The major work on the farmhouse we moved into last summer is now behind us. Among other things, a roof has been replaced, a kitchen installed and rooms have been made, to provide enough space for our children and to maximise rooms and conversation spaces for survivors.
All residents are settling down and plans for next year are starting to take off. There are also interviews with help-seekers several days a week.
We are delighted with the many expressions of help. For instance, we have been offered a nice printer, as well as a desk and a chair. Currently, we are still looking for wall coverings to muffle noise in a large corridor and a large whiteboard for the therapy room. If you have anything lying around that we can use, please feel free to email us: lichtoplevens@proton.me
Next year, a start will be made on a renovation plan for the barn, to convert it into offices and meeting rooms in the future. The necessary funds will also be raised for this; in addition, we are looking for people who want to help renovate practically. If you would like to do this, please let us know. However, we will ask you to go through an introductory procedure due to safety concerns.
We also have a family addition of 9 chickens, which have been hand tamed, so they can also be cared for and picked up by our helpers and a nice egg can be eaten at breakfast!
Additional call for (disappointing) rebuilding costs
Although the 'big work' is now behind us and most invoices have been paid, there is still 7K to be paid out. As a board, we had already decided to temporarily reduce the base amount in the pot to pay practitioners monthly. The required maintenance of the Hoeve's thatched roof is also rather disappointing (10k)
Would you consider helping us with these final touches, e.g. by a year-end donation? We would greatly appreciate it. Please mention "Last Leads" with your donation.
New: mini-course "I want to know more about that!"
For those who would like to consider working as a network friend for survivors, we have developed a mini-course of two evenings. Using a number of practical situations, we will take you through what supporting a survivor entails, what it asks of you and entails. There is also room for questions. We would like you to attend this course before applying to actually help within Friends of Esthers. The first mini-courses will be given by Friends of Esthers in Gorinchem and IJburg in early 2025. If you are interested please send an email to lichtoplevens@proton.me indicate o.v.v. mini-course
Application stop
We are regularly asked by aid applicants whether we can help them. Unfortunately, our application ban has not yet been lifted, so we have to give the answer 'no'. However, we are looking into how we can still help this target group, without us taking on the entire treatment.
For instance, we will start a supervision group for external practitioners of clients from srm and invite people to our information meetings.
If you are a help-seeker yourself, we advise you to look for a practitioner who wants to know more about dis and srm and wants to get on the road with you to get out of this. The practitioner can then contact us to ask for participation in the supervision group.
Finally, we are still looking hard for people who want to invest in a person wrestling their way out of cult. Come to an information evening and get informed about what you can do! Dates and places are on the website.
Thank you for your commitment to our work!
Core team Friends of Esthers
December: month of dark days, lights, Christmas. Extra heavy and dark for survivors (see recent prayer letter). In the darkness of the world there is hope: a Child is born to us... He is called Wonderful Counsellor, Strong God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. What a privilege to (learn to) receive His wisdom, strength, commitment and inner peace!
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