CEO Message
Marijke Frantzen
Resilience is often spoken of as the ability to bend without breaking, to weather the storm and rise again with renewed strength. At Kyeema, resilience is at the core of what we do, it is at the heart of the communities we serve, and this year it became the very heart of our own journey.
In 2024–2025, we saw resilience tested. We celebrated the awarding of projects funded by USAID, only to watch them pause and then disappear. We welcomed new colleagues who enriched our small team, and we mourned the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our dear Kevin in Papua New Guinea. His passing reminded us of the irreplaceable value each person brings to our work. In a small organisation like ours, every individual carries deep knowledge, local experience and networks; when one is lost, we all feel it profoundly.
And yet, resilience also revealed itself in quiet and powerful ways. I saw it in women across continents who, through our projects, began to earn an income from selling eggs and chickens – small beginnings that ripple out to transform entire households. I saw it in the communities who, after Kevin’s passing, stepped up to continue the coral gardening work he had so passionately led – a testament to both his impact and the enduring strength of locally led development.
I saw it, too, in the growing reach of the Let’s Make it Possible program with our partner Palladium, which enabled us to back bold, creative initiatives in places where support is needed most. These moments were bright reminders that even in times of uncertainty and set backs, there’s hope and opportunity to continue to grow, and to flourish.
This year was my first full one as CEO, and it has been both humbling and uplifting. The development sector is facing headwinds, and we know challenges will continue. But I believe that it is in these moments of pressure that new opportunities emerge, and with them, the chance to grow stronger together.
To our partners, donors, volunteers, and the dedicated Kyeema team, thank you very much!
Your generosity, trust, and commitment are the soil in which resilience grows. We could not do this without you, and together we will continue to create brighter dawns for communities around the world.
Warm regards,
Marijke Frantzen
CEO, Kyeema Foundation
I particularly want to highlight our work in an increasingly troubled Ethiopia. The Kyeema team and activities are quietly addressing issues that go to the heart of sustainable development and resilience in Ethiopia. We are continuing our work in small-holder livestock vaccination but with a view to the future have coupled that with support for female veterinary graduates to be able to establish their own practices and service otherwise vulnerable communities.
This similar pragmatic approach to long-term growth and resilience is also reflected in our Mozambique program where the now legendary Dr Rosa Costa leads a team that in the last year is helping women, including women with disabilities sustainably increase their income or establish new commercial operations. This may sound like a relatively small number in comparison to some gaudy institutional strengthening activities but in an area marred by internal conflict and with genuine poverty and malnutrition concerns this program plays a vital role in helping marginalised communities make a step forward.
I am equally as proud of the work we are doing in my own backyard here in the Pacific. Our PNG program continues to strengthen as our reputation as an honest, practical, and listening partner of choice for communities grows. Demand for the activities and training Kyeema is providing is almost outstripping our ability to supply at the moment but we are confident that as our team grows and partnerships deepen we will reach more communities with this important work.
One new aspect of work straddling both Africa and the Pacific has been developed with our own Dr Eliza Smith working with the Food and Agriculture Organization to train veterinary paraprofessionals to deliver programs in communities for improved farm biosecurity and One Health services. It is also supporting better communication between human, animal and environmental health professionals in underserved rural communities.
Finally I want to provide specific mention to our corporate partners. In particular the programs that we are delivering through our partnership with Palladium are examples of the value of very well curated procurement to find quality development activities. We hope that the Palladium staff interacting with Kyeema are finding the experience rewarding and I want to commend the team there for continuing to seek out and support sophisticated and impactful projects.
Thank you all for your dedication and support – we look forward to many great new dawns! out to my predecessor Celia Grenning who has been a great mentor and continues as an important compadre for myself and the organisation.
Finally, I want to take a moment to thank the Kyeema Board who have supported me to make this role and organisation rewarding and effective. I look forward to continuing all of these relationships in the coming years.