Welcome to our third interview of our miniseries about the people behind Little Leaders Foundation! In this interview we will be getting acquainted with LLF’s research specialist: Anastasia Pinkse!

LLF: What does your daily life look like? 

Anastasia: I am currently studying European Studies at the Hague University. What is great about this study is that it relates to the Little Leaders Foundation, because I can finally put all my knowledge into practice here at LLF. My hobbies are cooking, dancing, reading classic literature, Greek myths, thrillers and self-help books.

LLF: Do you have an idol or someone that inspires you? 

Anastasia: I look up to Kate Middleton, the duchess of Cambridge. I admire her because she transformed herself from a plain jane into a future princess. What inspires me also is that she is very charitable and benevolent, she cares for children and nature. 

LLF: How did you experience your time in elementary school? 

Anastasia: I loved school for the fact that I could learn new things, and at the time I would absorb the knowledge pretty quickly. Unfortunately at the time I did not have a lot of friends. So when I would go to secondary school, I was spending more time on making friends instead of focussing on studying. However, now with my current study I feel very privileged and happy to go to school and be able to learn new things. With my current internship I hope we can increase the number of Little Leaders that are able to go to school. 

LLF: With your current study you are able to learn and go in depth about a topic you really like compared to learning the basics in elementary school. So what is it that you like about your study and what do you hope to achieve with this knowledge in your future career? 

Anastasia: For instance on a political level I see how decision makers and heads of states are coming together to discuss the decisions that are necessary to combat climate change. What becomes obvious is how their actions and promises do not align. Seeing this makes me frustrated and fuels me to do better if I become a politician.

LLF: Why is education important for you?

Anastasia: First of all, in our current society (mainly in the west) it is very important to graduate and have a degree. Second, I think it also helps you develop into the person that you want to become, it makes you complete as a person.

LLF: How can education contribute to people's lives?

Anastasia: Education is a great contributor to someone’s life, think of Greek philosophers like Socrates that wanted to learn throughout their lives. I believe it is the same with education, it makes you a more complete person. It gives you the opportunity to know and understand the world we live in. It gives you the tools to navigate through our current society. Education also gives you the knowledge that is necessary to participate in politics and teaches you what your rights are and how to stand up for yourself when these are taken away from you by the government. 

LLF: What is something that could be further developed within the educational system?

Anastasia: Listening to the experiences of my mother, who is a primary school teacher in Rotterdam zuid, there is need for development in the educational system in the Netherlands, to help children that live in deprived areas such as Rotterdam Zuid to aid them with the proper facilities so they can realize their potential. But also in other areas such as the middle east or Asia there should be an increase in programs so that every child could go to school, especially because it is one of the basic human rights of the United Nations.

LLF: How did you get acquainted with the Little Leaders Foundation?

Anastasia: I got acquainted with Little Leaders through Elisah Sauerbier, the COO and co-founder of the foundation. I got the internship because I needed to do some volunteer work as a part of my school curriculum. So I was so excited to contribute to and be a part of the Little Leaders Foundation.

LLF: What are your tasks here at Little Leaders Foundation? 

Anastasia: I am proud to be the first intern at Little Leaders Foundation! And my tasks are to do research regarding education and children's rights, I make summaries and provide sources for the writing team. They will make articles that will be published on the website so that donors can get a good idea of the impact their contribution makes. Another benefit of the research is that it can also inspire Little Leaders Foundation to create new programs in other fields, such as protecting children from child labour.

LLF: What is your motivation to be a volunteer for Little Leaders Foundation?

Anastasia: My biggest motivation is the rewarding feeling I get that I have a positive impact on the lives of children that I do not know and live on the other side of the world. But I also enjoy the new experience of volunteering.

LLF: What do you want to achieve on a personal level from volunteering at Little Leaders Foundation?

Anastasia: First of all, I look forward to applying the knowledge I gained from my study and putting it into practice as well as gaining new knowledge regarding the activities within an NGO. But also apply the knowledge in my future job if I would ever work within the field of politics or an organization such as the United Nations.

LLF: Did you feel like a Little Leader when you were young?

Anastasia: Yes I did, when I was younger I wanted to be a movie star and be in the spotlight and if you ask me it takes a lot of leadership to handle a job like that.

LLF: Thank you so much for your time and answering the questions, so our sponsors can get to know you a little better!

Anastasia: You are very welcome and thank you so much for the internship opportunity!