Building a new future.
We provide assistance to impoverished displaced people, focused on structurally improving their living conditions. Mattar does this by financially supporting projects that help people rebuild their lives.
01Our Mission
Helping People Help Themselves.
We focus on sustainable reconstruction, including schools and housing, so that they not only survive, but rebuild a dignified life after years of surviving in tent camps.
02Our Vision
A society in which victims and displaced people are given the opportunity, the resources, and a safe home to fully participate in peace and re-enter society with the right support.
Our Name
Ghayath Mattar was a young Syrian teacher who took the fate of Syria and the Syrian people to heart. He organized marches for democracy. To make clear the nonviolent intentions of his marches, flowers and drinking water were distributed to the security forces who watched the marches. But Ghayath was arrested. A few days later, his body, bearing signs of severe torture, was handed over to his family. Ghayath was 26 years old.
In Memoriam
Ghayath Mattar
1987 — 2011
His nonviolent courage became a source of inspiration for many
Our Team
These are the people behind Stichting Mattar who dedicate themselves daily to our mission.
Board
The board bears ultimate responsibility for the policy and finances of the foundation. All board members serve on a voluntary basis.
Chairperson
Els Boot
Retired Mayor. Studied History and Dutch Law.
Secretary
Marly van Osch
Marly studied Occupational and Organizational Psychology at Radboud University. Since 2021, she has been working at the Dutch Council for Refugees (VluchtelingenWerk Nederland).
Treasurer
Theo Coskun
Theo Coskun studied biochemistry and accountancy, has worked in industry and the financial sector, and has been active for decades in public administration positions in the Municipality of Rotterdam.
Board Member
Zaher Toma
Was a university lecturer in Arabic literature in Damascus. Now teaches Arabic at the Volksuniversiteit Rotterdam and works as an Intercultural Mediator at NIDOS.
Advisor
Our external advisor supports the board with specialized knowledge.
External Legal Advisor
Ton Rhijnsburger
Ton works in social legal aid. He is a lawyer at the Advokatencollectief Rotterdam — a firm specifically established to serve the less privileged members of society.
In the Field
Our local coordinator ensures the daily execution of our projects in Northwest Syria.
Local Coordinator
Taha al-Atrash
Taha was a farmer before he fled with his family from the war. He lived in a tent in Northwest Syria for 7 years. Now he is back in what was once his village.
Stichting Mattar is growing. View the current roles on our vacancies page and see where you can contribute.
Current vacancies
On the vacancies page you can find all open roles and role profiles.
View vacanciesWe currently recruit through focused role profiles on the vacancies page.
Governance
All board members serve without compensation. Stichting Mattar is ANBI compliant with GDPR.
ANBI-geregistreerd
RSIN: 865584953
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