Today, we would like to introduce Simone Heemskeerk from the Netherlands – someone who has quietly but persistently made a lasting impact in Peru. Sergio first met Simone in 2009, when she had just arrived in the country. She was one of his very first clients who did not come from South America. Back then, she was laying the foundations for Por Eso!, an NGO that for 15 years worked in remote Andean communities, teaching children and families how to grow healthy food and fight malnutrition through sustainable vegetable gardens.
In 2022, Simone and her partner Jolanda took a new step: creating Camona Ecolodge, a conservation and permaculture project near Oxapampa. There, they are regenerating the land, growing their own food, and welcoming guests who want to experience nature up close. It is a different setting but driven by the same values—sustainability, community, and respect for the environment.
We’d like to thank Simone for her trust in our law firm over all these years, and above all for her dedication to the people and nature of Peru. She is one of those people we like to call “anonymous heroes”: working from the heart, driven by her beliefs, and creating real change without seeking the spotlight.
For more information about NGOs in Peru, please click here.
NGO Por Eso Perú
For 15 years, Por Eso! worked in remote Andean communities to fight malnutrition and improve living conditions through sustainable solutions. In villages where potatoes were often the only food available, the NGO built greenhouses, started school and family gardens, and taught children and parents how to grow and cook a variety of vegetables. Their work went beyond food security: they organized hygiene campaigns, provided dental care and anti-parasite treatments, and supported families in improving their homes. Workshops were always hands-on and lively, designed to be as inviting as a small celebration—helping overcome barriers like limited literacy. By 2024, Por Eso! had brought lasting change to Andean communities, empowering families to feed themselves and even sell surplus produce at local markets. The organization will officially close at the end of 2025, but its impact will live on in the gardens, knowledge, and healthier lives it leaves behind.
Camona Ecolodge
Camona Ecolodge lies in the heart of untouched forest, just half an hour from Oxapampa. Since 2022, Dutch owners Jolanda and Simone have been restoring the land and creating a life as self-sufficient as possible, sharing it with their horses, cows, and dogs. After more than a decade running the NGO Por Eso! in the Peruvian Andes, they swapped high mountains for lush jungle and turned their new home into a place for conservation, permaculture, and learning.
Here, vegetables are grown on-site and meals come straight from the garden whenever possible. Guests can join Jolanda’s hands-on classes on growing their own produce, or simply enjoy the results during their stay.
Accommodation is in a comfortable cabin for up to three people, with breakfast and basic cooking supplies included. Those who prefer to stay close to nature can order ingredient boxes for lunch and dinner, to prepare in the well-equipped kitchen or on the BBQ. Solar power, spring water, and free Wi-Fi keep things comfortable without losing the off-grid feel.
Whether it’s birdwatching, hiking forest trails, swimming in the river, or just unwinding in a hammock, Camona offers a place to slow down and reconnect. It’s about 9–10 hours by bus or car from Lima, or 4.5 hours from Jauja Airport.
Here's Simone in her own words:
When did you first travel to Peru and why did you decide to live there?
The first time in Peru was in 2009. We got stuck in Peru because of a strike. We were here on a holiday and already thinking about expanding the NGO to another country. And because we got stuck because of the strike, we got to know the communities high up in the Andes and decided, OK, this is the place where we can start with our vegetable gardens for schools and families.
How did/does NVC Abogados help you with your projects in Peru?
I got to know Sergio because of a common friend we have. And I think me and my partner Jolanda were the first foreigners he did the visa for. And after that he also helped us through all those years with everything that is related to the foundation and with selling and buying land , everything contract-wise and financial-wise.
What has been the most challenging aspect of dealing with practical matters in Peru, and how have you managed to overcome it?
The bureaucracy—and the fact that many people, like notaries or bank staff, often don’t have all the necessary knowledge—can make it really difficult to get things done here. That’s why having someone like Sergio, who truly knows how to navigate the system and get things handled, has been and still is invaluable. Without you get lost and as a foreigner you are extra vulnerable. I couldn’t have done what we did without him on my side.
What are your plans for the next few years?
I’m still working with the NGO, and in the coming years, who knows—I might develop a new project. Peru is a country full of possibilities, and it’s the place where I want to keep growing older.
Thank you very much for allowing us to share your story, Simone. And for being a friend for so many years.
If you are looking to spend some in nature and disconnect from city life, Simone will be happy to welcome you at Camona Ecolodge.
(All photos courtesy of Simone Heemskerk / Por Eso Perú)
Planning to start or manage an NGO in Peru?
Registering and running a non-profit in Peru comes with specific legal, tax, and reporting requirements. Getting it wrong can block funding or lead to sanctions.
Book your private consultation with Sergio Vargas to understand the full legal framework and avoid common pitfalls when working in the non-profit sector.
The session takes place via Zoom and can be conducted in English or Spanish.
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