Hi, I’m Marlene Lee, and I currently serve as an advisor for funding and grants at Stichting Wanyuan in the Netherlands, a foundation dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where Chinese older adults can connect, stay active, and feel truly seen. Alongside my role as a Business Controller at the Salvation Army, I have devoted the past several years to building sustainable networks that support the ageing Chinese community across the country.
My journey began in 2018, driven by a simple but powerful belief: that our elders deserve more, more opportunities to meet, to move, to learn, and, above all, to feel valued and connected. What started as a small step in my spare time quickly grew into a mission that continues to shape my work and my life: walking together, carrying together, growing old together (in Dutch: samen wandelen, samen dragen en samen oud worden).
This mission first took shape in 2019 with Stichting Tien Yan, where I served as a co-founder and committed myself full-time to creating visibility, connection, and support for Chinese older adults. Those formative years taught me the importance of leadership, collaboration, and building communities with, not just for, the people we aim to serve. They laid the foundation for everything that followed.
During that time, I also connected with Jennifer van den Broeke, then a board member of ENIEC, who introduced me to the network. Although my schedule at the time prevented me from becoming a member and attending ENIEC’s annual events, I have always believed that everything happens at the right time.
As the initiative I started in 2019 grew into a stable local model, I transitioned in 2025 to work on a national initiative with Stichting Wanyuan, focusing on broader growth and impact. Today, we are active in Arnhem, Utrecht, and Amsterdam, creating vibrant, welcoming spaces where older adults can share stories, engage in activities, and celebrate their heritage — with the ambition to expand to 8–10 more cities across the Netherlands. I take great pride in seeing how the lessons from those early years have evolved into scalable, sustainable programs that empower our elders and amplify their voices.
Joining ENIEC this year felt like a natural and enriching step forward. I discovered a community of professionals who share the same passion for working at the intersection of ageing, migration, and vitality. The knowledge exchange, expertise, and collaborative spirit within ENIEC have inspired me, strengthened my strategic approach, and deepened the impact of our initiatives.
I look forward to continuing this journey, learning from one another, sharing experiences, and collectively building a stronger, more inclusive future for our ageing communities of migrant elders.
