Create Balance, To Stay Afloat

It is time for our annual Sharing Stories That Matter Event!

After more than a year spent trying to navigate the ongoing pandemic, most of us may have hit the wall, struggling to stay afloat with uncertainties, difficulties and loss. Our mental health and wellbeing may be experiencing extreme lows with the trauma of having to deal with foreboding stress and anxiety for a prolonged period be it in our personal, professional and/or business life.

It is for these reasons that we wish to explore together and encourage one another to keep our heads up high above the crushing waves and brave the unrelenting storms by listening to and engaging with three (3) phenomenal women as they share their incredible journeys of Creating Balance.

For 3 consecutive Saturdays in June, join us to listen to storytellers:

June 12th (13:00 – 15:00): Nelly-Otenyo Ibis;

June 19th (13:00 – 15:00): Lucy Lu;

June 26th (13:00 – 15:00): Jenny Arolinna;

Each story will be followed by a reflective workshop.

The first workshop will be led by Daniel Bernardus, followed by Ruth McCarthy on the 19th of June and on the last day, by Christy Aikhorin & Veena Joseph.

This event is € 10 and you can register here:

We charge a 10$ event registration fee.
 €10.00

Zoom links for the 3 dates shall be shared after your registration.

Photos and Videos:

Please note that photos and videos may be taken during the event. By Participating at the event, you grant SheSustains the permission to capture your photo/video of the event that may be used on social media and other communication channels. 

If you wish not to be included in any photos or videos please notify us by sending an email to: SheSustains11@gmail.com

Why Stories?

The stories we listen to, believe in and share with others about ourselves often play a critical role in helping us interpret the meaning of events. They provide a framework through which we filter our experiences and transform them into worthwhile ventures.

Through sharing “Stories That Matter” UnikBlends and Forerunners Consulting and Coaching offers, the opportunity to connect with women who have powerfully engaging stories based on their actual experiences and hope these stories inspire others to reshape their own story to revive what lies within.


MEET 2021 STORYTELLERS

Nelly-Otenyo Ibis

On June 12, Nelly shares her story of loss and how this tragic incident is transforming into a path for balance and self care.

Nelly is a trained Pharmacist and a Global Health professional currently working in the medical device field, as an International Hospital Manager, in charge of the African continent.

In 2018, after years of charity work, she founded Angaza Creations, a platform for artisans from the slums of Kenya to showcase their work and move from Aid to Trade.

Nelly is also the founder of Angaza Foundation and the director of Nellie’s Cleaning Service based in Maastricht, Netherlands. In her limited free time, she writes blogs and creates videos about Faith, Hope and Love.

Lucy Lu

Lucy and her partner Rens, started Sunshine Au Pair in 2012. They are an IND sponsor Au Pair agency that helps families invite Au Pairs from all over the world for a cultural exchange programme in the Netherlands.

Lucy began her own journey as an Au Pair to the Netherlands in 2010 and through her experiences, have built Sunshine step by step. Sunshine Au Pair has seen more than 400 Au Pairs through their cultural exchange year.

In 2020, when Covid-19 crisis started, and all borders were closed, she came up with the idea of Culture Online, an online language centre for all starters who want to learn Dutch language, Culture and more.

Lucy Lu is SheSustains supporting partner, generously sponsoring all our zoom sessions, thus offering SheSustains the incredible opportunity to stay connected as a community and keep thriving.

Lucy looks forward to sharing her remarkable journey from China to the Netherlands as a student and hopes her story encourages women, young starters in particular to live their dreams. She will be live on June 19th.

Jenny Arolinna

“Everybody is important and everybody’s voice should be heard” is one of Jenny’s favourite quotes and lives by it.

Jenny, a mother to two amazing boys, is Finnish and has lived in the Netherlands for 13years. This IT professional who is also a MaryKay consultant, is passionate about supporting people and a learner for life, particularly self development for growth and empowering others with her vast experience be it personally or professionally. 

Jenny has loads of interest including coordinating events within the Finnish community, healthy lifestyle & nutrition and fitness such as running, martial arts and dancing. She loves meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds as it readily offers her the opportunity of learning.

Jenny will be sharing her journey of motherhood, single parenting, career life & entrepreneurship and finding balance through intentional self care. Happiness is crucial for Jenny and part of it has been identifying and embracing herself as a multipotential.  Join us on the 26th of June to hear more of this vibrant and energetic lady’s story.


MEET 2021 REFLECTIVE WORKSHOP HOSTS

Note: Each story is followed by a 45 minutes reflective workshop

Daniel Bernardus

Being Human in Balance

In his interactive workshop on June 12, Daniel will explore how insights from modern, classical, and Christian philosophy can help us get to know ourselves more deeply. He invites us to apply this self-knowledge to try and find new balance in our lives.

Daniel Bernardus a religious biologist interested in the human heart. He would like to help people to get to know their own hearts and find the way to integral personal growth through non-fiction and stories. He writes for people of all backgrounds who are interested in personal growth, and are open to being inspired by an interdisciplinary perspective that integrates insights from science, philosophy, and (catholic) Christian religion and spirituality.

Ruth McCarthy 

Ruth’s workshop on the 19th of June is entitled “Listening for life: the promise that changes everything”

Following a successful first career in mainstream UK book publishing and journalism, in 2007 Ruth discovered the profound, deeply human power of Nancy Kline’s Thinking Environment®, began her inspirational TTT training, and is now a member of the Time to Think Global Faculty.

In 2008 Ruth launched her own consultancy Think It Through and regularly leads TTT open and qualifying courses in the UK and Ireland, including supervising participant practicums. Working in-house her leadership development experience includes corporate and public sectors, start-ups and SMEs. 

Ruth says she is ‘on a mission to transform meetings from dull to dynamic’ through teaching and leading in a Thinking Environment. Ruth was Chairman for five years of a national grant making Trust, is Development consultant to Midas PR, a member of the Association for Coaching, and a Fellow at the RSA.

Christy Aikhorin & Veena Joseph

On the 26th of June, Christy and Veena will co-host the workshop, which will include a discussion panel on Identifying Anxiety, Stress & Burnout.

Christy Aikhorin and Veena Joseph are the founders of SheSustains.

They are two good friends though with different backgrounds yet share the same aspirations to support and encourage women through sharing stories that are real and raw for personal development, breaking out of barriers, and creating new narratives.

Comments are closed.