Meet Olimpia Barbarulo | Co-Founder of Springtide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olimpia Barbarulo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olimpia, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Springtide has been initiated by Olimpia Barbarulo and Jonathan de Bosscher, in March 2021 with the aim of supporting the Kesho Congo NGO in their daily fight against child malnutrition and hunger.

Kesho Congo is situated in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, and it was created by the pediatrician Doctor Adolphe Nyakasane, who devoted his life and career helping his community. The Kesho Congo NGO operates in the region of South Kivu, where the rate of chronic malnutrition is 61%, causing: death, infirmity, chronic vulnerability to diseases, intellectual disability and other harmful factors to the development of children and the future of the affected communities.

Springtide set 2 main core activities in order to achieve its mission, the followings are:
– Raise funds for the Kesho Congo NGO in order to assist them with financial support to develop their infrastructures.
– Raise awareness on their work and sensibilizing people on the subject of child malnutrition and hunger.

Jonathan de Bosscher and Olimpia Barbarulo are both Leisure and Events Management students at NHL Stenden, in Leeuwarden (The Netherlands). Thanks to their degree, they managed to organize several fundraising events that contributed to raising funds and spread awareness. As an example, the Drip event was organized in October 2021 and a community of upcoming artists was created, including: visual artists, graphic designers, body painter, magicians, rappers, sound producers and a band, who where willing to exhibit or perfrom to help Springtide to achieve its mission. A total profit of 1000 euro was rasied during the day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Olimpia Barbarulo is currently in her graduation phase, with major in Leisure and Events Management. In addition, she undertook 2 minors, one in Events Managements and the second one, in Arts&Culture Management, at NHL Stenden, in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. Her goal is to become an Interdisciplinary Art event organiser and artist manager. As already mentioned her degree and acquired skills during her bachelor contributed to create and run Springtide successfully.

Jonathan de Bosscher is currently in his graduation phase as well, with major in Leisure and Events Management and minor in Meaningful Media Expedition at NHL Stenden, Leeuwarden, through which he managed to dive in different media concepts that can help develop a more sustainable world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
1. Valérie Dereymaeker, known as Lady Bush Pilot (https://www.ladybushpilot.com/ ), is the person who gave us the connection to Doctor Adolphe Nyakasane and who offered us (Olimpia and Jonathan) the opportunity to travel with her on her Cessna 180 from Antwerp (Belgium) to Bukavu (DCR), where we had the chance to finally visit the Kesho Congo. The aim of this trip through 7 different African countries was also to get a full and direct experience of the condition of Western/Central African countries. The trip lasted for approximately 2 months stopping in the following countries (from beginning of November to the end of December): – France
– Spain
– Senegal
– Mali
– Burkina Faso
– Benin
– Cameroon
– Central African Republic
– Democratic Republic of Congo

2. Doctor Adolphe Nyakasane, founder of the Kesho Congo NGO, is an inspiring pediatrician and person, who devoted his life to his community, and no matter the obstacles he encounters, he keeps on giving, hoping to provide a better tomorrow to his community

Website: https://www.springtide.info/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGx21s5VV5urGvVzNygUymQ/featured

Other: https://youtu.be/H4L5FZPKPoU