Amilcar van Mulier is living every photographer’s dream: he has built his own successful portraits and events photography studio with a client list of well-known brands and exciting creative projects. But this year something was missing.
After organizing a fundraiser for Gaza in his free time, he realized he also wanted something that could allow him to reach beyond the lens and help people in need. That’s when he decided to join People for People alongside his booming photography business.
Amilcar’s first big project with People for People was the Winter Tour, a mission carried out over these last few months to provide winter clothing to unaccompanied minors across the country.
“It was shocking to find out that there are so many kids in the Netherlands who don’t have winter clothes to go to school. We try to portray ourselves as such an advanced country and still things like this are happening,” he commented.
The need was urgent. Amilcar recalls receiving 30 calls from COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers) locations across the country, each describing dire situations. One location had suffered a fire, leaving children without warm clothing. Another had kids biking 30 kilometers to school every day without proper jackets.
Thanks to the dedication of the team, partners, and volunteers, People for People has distributed over 10,000 items of winter clothing so far.
“I was so grateful we could provide this for these kids,” said Amilcar. “What I love about this project is how collaborative it is. Everyone plays a role—from the partnerships manager connecting with brands to the project managers ensuring everything runs smoothly, the warehouse team packing items on time, and the communications team sharing beautiful stories about the impact. It’s an incredible team effort.”
While providing clothing was a critical milestone, Amilcar emphasized that the children’s needs extend far beyond material support. On a recent visit to a COA location, he saw one boy from Syria who was crying because he had just found out that his father had died in jail during Assad’s regime.
“These kids have endured so much—crossing multiple countries alone, constantly moving from shelter to shelter, all while facing a political climate that’s often hostile to them,” Amilcar explained. “Despite everything, they’re incredibly brave and resilient.”
That’s something he wanted to capture through his lens at our Rolling Aid Events, where we provide a day of fun activities and, most importantly, a moment to connect.
“When I started taking pictures for People for People, I wanted to capture that human side, which is so lacking from the media and politics. These kids aren’t just numbers or victims—they’re heroes, so I also want to portray them that way.”
One particular encounter at a Rolling Aid Event in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium left a lasting impression on Amilcar. A young boy approached him, curious about his camera, and the two bonded over their shared love of photography.
“I learned that back home in Yemen, this boy was passionate about street photography. He even had his first exhibition at the age of 16,” Amilcar recalled. “In that moment, I realized the only difference between us was circumstance. I grew up in the Netherlands, where I had the opportunity to develop my craft, while he grew up in a war zone. It felt so unfair, but I was grateful to connect with him—to acknowledge him as a person and make him feel seen.”
Seeing the children smile, play soccer, and experience moments of joy reinforced why Amilcar is so passionate about his role.
“I’m so happy I made the decision to join. I really feel at this point that all my needs are being fulfilled — the need to be an entrepreneur, to be creative, and to help people,” Amilcar said.
Thank you so much to Recruitee for helping us find amazing team members like Amilcar. It’s people like him that make People for People what it is: an organization of compassionate people ready to step up to help others in need.
