Sander de Kramer (ENG)
From 1994, Sander de Kramer served as the editor-in-chief of the Rotterdam homeless newspaper, which he established in several cities across the Netherlands. In 2003, he became the coach of the Dutch Homeless Team, which won bronze at the Homeless World Cup in Graz, Austria. In 2007, together with Hugo Borst, he founded the Sunday Foundation, dedicated to helping underprivileged children in Sierra Leone. De Kramer traveled to the West African country to report on the devastating effects of the civil war and was deeply moved by the many orphaned children who were forced to work in diamond mines to survive. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he launched a large-scale campaign to expose the dire conditions in Sierra Leone. Shortly after, he personally rescued the so-called diamond children from the mines and arranged for schools to be built for them. As a token of appreciation for his efforts, he was crowned Chief in Sierra Leone.
Sander de Kramer is widely praised for his innovative approach to humanitarian aid. On one occasion, he arranged for a small aircraft full of football boots to be flown to a leprosy-stricken area in Madagascar, fulfilling a significant wish of the local population. For KRO television, the Rotterdam native traveled the world for years to raise awareness for various charity projects. In his hometown, he played a key role in realizing a statue of Rigardus Rijnhout, better known as the Giant of Rotterdam. The life-sized artwork—standing 2.36 meters tall—serves as a symbol of tolerance.
For his contributions to society, De Kramer was named Rotterdammer of the Year in 2001. He received the Paul Nijgh Medal in 2007, the Laurenspenning in 2009, and the Majoor Bosshardt Award in 2013.
He serves as an ambassador for organizations including KWF Kankerbestrijding (Dutch Cancer Society), Johan Cruijff Foundation, Care Nederland, and the Rotterdam-based Stichting LACH.
On June 14, 2015, he participated in the Singelswim Utrecht alongside colleagues Anita Witzier and Sofie van den Enk to raise funds for further research on FSHD (a muscular disease), in an event presented by KRO-NCRV and NOS.
In 2024, Sander de Kramer was named the Most Positive Dutchman of the Year.