When we created the Yoga Girl® brand, one of our biggest objectives was to do more good, and to be of greater service to those outside our community who are really suffering. Our mission is to heal the world, one woman and one child at a time.
2017 was the year we welcomed Lea Luna into our lives, and it was also the year two precious boys were taken from us at the hands of their parents, only 15 minutes from Rachel’s house in Aruba. Rishandro, age five, was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. The younger brother, Eugene, was found buried in the backyard of his parent’s house three weeks later. By this time, Rachel had been living on the island of Aruba for almost a decade, but we had no idea of the heartbreaking reality so many children faced. This was not an isolated incident. Statistics suggest that a staggering 50% of children in Aruba are victims of some form of abuse. That number is gut wrenching – the thought of one child being harmed is too much. When we learned this, we looked at Lea Luna and held her close. She was smiling. She was happy and safe. In that moment, we knew something had to be done. This was the start of the Yoga Girl® Foundation.
At the heart of everything we do and at the heart of the Yoga Girl Foundation’s mission is the desire to make a difference, one woman and one child at a time. And the time is now…
Will you help us in manifesting our dream? A dream that is not only ours, but one that belongs to each and every child facing abuse. Together we can build a community where every child is smiling. Where every child is happy and safe. Where their eyes reflect trust, hope and faith in life.
We hope you will join us.
With love,
Rachel & Shama
Three generations
of women working together to support other women and children. Rachel to the left, Lea Luna in the middle and Shama to the right.
The Yoga Girl® Foundation supports women and children who suffer the consequences of trauma, injustice, abuse and poverty. We provide emotional, financial and medical aid to support healing and empower growth. The Yoga Girl® Foundation was founded on September 3, 2018 in Sweden by Rachel Brathen Schoneveld and Shama Persson.
To heal the world, one woman and one child at a time.
We believe that all healing begins with ourselves. We also understand the generational issues of deep rooted trauma and know the importance of supporting healing processes for both mothers and their children. By focusing on this, we know that change will come.
A world where every woman and child is safe, loved and free from harm.
Child safety and abuse prevention
Self-love and self-esteem empowerment in women
Stress reduction and anxiety prevention
Gabor Maté, PHD
The Yoga Girl Foundation was founded in September 2018. Although we are a new foundation, our team is relatively large and skilled in many different fields. Are you interested in becoming part of our team? Contact us here!
Rachel is the heart and voice of the Yoga Girl Foundation. A New York Times best selling author, public speaker and the founder of Yoga Girl®, Yoga Girl Foundation and Sgt Peppers Friends, Rachel has dedicated her entire life to help people heal and grow. Rachel has always had a big heart for rescuing animals and caring for children since she was young. This foundation is how we turn her mission into a reality.
Shama is the backbone of the Yoga Girl Foundation. Founding this mission with her daughter Rachel, Shama is a certified fundraiser with a background as an entrepreneur and inventor. She is based in Stockholm, but is a frequent traveler to Aruba. As a mother of four, she has a big heart and passion to support women and children in need. Her main focus in the foundation is fundraising and relationship building.
Luz studied Social Work in Amsterdam and is specialized in International Social Work & Community Development. Her additional background involves nutrition, coaching, fitness, marketing and management. Her responsibilities on the Yoga Girl Foundation team include the coordination and completion of projects; balancing time, budget and scope. Whenever not in the office, she’s in the studio taking or teaching yoga or ballet.
Courtney Betts is the Executive Assistant on the Yoga Girl team and a strategist for Yoga Girl Foundation. Originally, from Toronto, Canada, Courtney has an MSc in health science with a focus on social determinants of health in youth and a background in program evaluation. On the side from her role with Yoga Girl and Yoga Girl Foundation, Courtney teaches SUP yoga, creates art, and has a strong love for cats and math.
Angela is a member of the board, but also the COO of Yoga Girl. She has for over two decades held a variety of Sr. roles for mid-sized and global companies such as Microsoft Corporation and others. Her true calling lies in service and humanity where the real measurements are found in the heart. She oversees the global day-to-day operations at Yoga Girl® while balancing motherhood to two amazing children, being a wife, and finding time to roll out her yoga mat.
Michael is our in-house compliance and legal adviser. He lives and works as an attorney in Sweden. He has a passion for justice and equality and works with many partners to add love and soft values into law. He’s new to yoga and is happy to be a part of the global community of Yoga Girl® and the Yoga Girl® Foundation.
Robert Ikenberg is the IT and security consultant for Yoga Girl and Yoga Girl Foundation. Born and raised in Sweden, Robert was interested in computers and programming at a young age. Robert has now been working with IT security at large companies as well as performing IT security audits for Swedish nuclear facilities. Robert is a very friendly person that likes to help others and share his knowledge.
Ninni is an accounting consultant for the Yoga Girl® Foundation with more than twenty years experience in finance. She’s based in Sweden and is passionate in offering her services to causes that make a difference. She knows it is her life purpose to help others - both to heal the world and for her to grow as a human being. When she’s not working, you find her in the yoga studio or together with her two children.
There are many ways we could use your help! Through donations, volunteering or interning, and sharing our projects to your friends and family across social media, every little bit counts and we appreciate all that you do.
Your donation is so important to us, as all our projects need more than love and kindness to manifest change. Any contribution is welcome and every dollar matters. Thank you for anything you can give.
We need help to raise awareness and funds and to share our mission to reach our goals. Join as an ambassador by
1. Donate any small amount and
2. Send us an email with the subject “Ambassador” to info@yogagirlfoundation.com . Thank you!
Through our following on social media, we can broadcast and communicate our vision and goals to the world. Help us share and grow!
