Stichting Witte Tulp

Stichting Witte Tulp (the White Tulip Foundation) is an educational organization with six branches located in Amsterdam and its surrounding areas. The foundation organizes activities for students in primary and secondary education with the aim of providing opportunities for them to develop their talents and skills as widely as possible. By involving parents, teachers, and over 150 volunteers (many who started as protégés and returned as mentors), Witte Tulp provides intensive tutoring to over 600 pupils (from age seven through late adolescence), nearly 60 percent of who are of Turkish origin.

Witte Tulp strongly emphasizes the self-development of its pupils, tackling educational disadvantages and the prevention of early school drop out. It also promotes the engagement of parents in the development of their children. Its director Murat Alici speaks eloquently of their agenda:

"Successful children are the ones with excellent communication between parents and school. We see our role as serving as a bridge between students, parents, and schools — so that each knows the other better and takes into account the others’ particular difficulties, motivations, and competencies.  It isn’t just about helping students do their homework (though that is important) but also about presenting them with a kind of mirror so they discover their position in the school environment in which they are positioned. And so it is the same with parents. What is my role in their success and failure? What should I do to give them the best chances? And the teacher: “I teach a class, but if I do not take into account the social and familial context of the child, how can he possibly succeed?”--Murat Alici

Education, ambition, social engagement, citizenship, and self-fulfillment are crucial concepts in the organization’s vision. Since 1997 the White Tulip Foundation has evolved from a small project that started in a student’s home to a large-scale organization. The organization provides homework support, subject tutoring, intensive training to prepare for the CITO high stakes exam, and counseling for educational pathway decisions. The organization also offers club activities, a weekend school, and an annual Science Festival (which attracts 15,000 visitors per year.)  By providing intensive coaching and mentoring to students, early drop-out intervention is targeted.

In 2004, Witte Tulp received an award presented by Princess Máxima of the Netherlands in recognition of its activities and contribution to society. For further information, see http://www.stichtingwittetulp.nl/