A Life changing Journey of Purpose and Humanity

In 2015, while volunteering over Christmas and New Year’s on the beach of the Greek island Kos, it all started. While helping scared people fleeing war and crossing the dangerous sea in small boats, Marc van der Meer saw how meaningful it was to help people with just a smile, by giving a warm blanket, some water and some energy cookies. Simple things with a high impact.

Experiencing this firsthand and seeing the world through different eyes was his wake-up call. He began to question the meaning and values of his work and his life. Why was his hunger for more luxury not fulfilling him? Why had he always felt the pressure of earning money, which caused stress instead of happiness?

Trying to answer these questions was the start of a journey toward embracing a down-to-earth lifestyle, embodying authenticity, discovering true happiness and his life’s purpose.

During the Corona pandemic in 2021, Marc began volunteering with people with mental and physical disabilities, supporting them in their social activities. Just by playing board games, taking a walk through the park, or having a talk while drinking coffee, this experience deepened his sense of gratitude. He recognised the value of being healthy and able to use his senses to help others and share moments of happiness.

Volunteering opened his eyes to what truly matters in life, and that was not defined by luxury, living in a big house, driving around in a big car, and working for companies with famous names that damage humanity, the climate and natural resources.

Marc decided to leave the commercial world behind, even though he had a successful career as a graphic designer, international project manager, and personal, team and leadership coach, with a good income and well-known clients.

Since then, Marc has been dedicated to promoting humanity, justice, equality and solidarity.

Today, he serves as an ambassador for volunteering and advocates for making it a natural part of modern education.
Volunteering is the key to personal growth in authenticity and empathy, discovering purpose, and inspiring those who want to make the world a better place with happiness.

The Story Behind

Marc’s mission is inspired by the legacy of his grandfather, Cor “Sis” Sistermans, who was born in Amsterdam in 1895. “Sis” was a cherished shoemaker in Grootebroek, who dedicated himself to his community as a volunteer and board member of the Dutch First Aid Organisation (EHBO). Although Marc never knew him, “Sis” passed away in 1963, his strong commitment to service and kindness live on in Marc’s life and work today.

His beloved mother, Nolly van der Meer-Sistermans, passed away from cancer at 60 in 1998. She taught Marc to live grounded, to be kind, modest and respectful. Her passing was a big loss also of her dedication during her work at the front desk of the city’s civil service of Leusden, where she always found time for a talk and a smile for others. Her absence is still felt in Marc’s heart and throughout the community.

Both stories continue to guide Marc’s journey.

Marc’s Life Mission

Now aged 60+, Marc van der Meer is one of the co-founders of the nonprofit “AFSR Academy for Social Responsibility” in Dortmund, and Volunteers‘ Help in Bern, which both inspire people to volunteer and take care of people in need.

He channels his experience, creativity, energy, and humanity into creating an inspiring future for his own 2 grown-up children, Joey and Jule, and other young people and generations to come.

For over three years, Marc has been passionately developing the Happiness Program Carrot Power! with the support of an international team of volunteer experts, designed for everyone who wants to help build a more inspiring world with engaged people, communities, and organisations.

Starting Carrot Power! was never about profit: it was about creating happiness and the belief that it will help lots of people in need. Marc followed his conviction that the world urgently needs to rediscover togetherness, sharing, and caring. To make it real, he invested his own life insurance instead of relying on investors or funding, trusting in the power of his optimism, assertiveness, and creativity, and in the people and friends around him to bring this vision to life. Because only together change can be made.

After undergoing kidney and heart surgeries in 2024, his belief and optimism only grew stronger. These experiences reminded him what truly matters in life: trustful relationships, humanity and happiness.

Carrot Power!

“First-Aid-Happiness-Kit Carrot Power!” helps the younger generation build a brighter future by volunteering for people in need. They learn to live happier lives and discover their personal life mission by developing human skills and social and emotional intelligence (EQ). It fosters understanding of themselves and others, including those who may seem different. This generation will never let happen what the older generation missed: living with purpose and happiness while taking care of others and Mother Earth.

The program is based on research from Harvard University and is inspired by the Ubuntu philosophy: “I am because we are,” in other words, “our own happiness grows through the happiness of others.” Inspirational role models are Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

Today, Marc continues his mission to establish Carrot Power! as a growing movement, starting in Dortmund and crossing borders wherever it is needed.

Discover more about Marc’s mission and how you can get involved on the donation page.

Book marc

Marc loves to be invited for talks to spread the message:
”Be happy by sharing and caring. Be a volunteer.”
Contact: marc.vandermeer @ afsr.world

Marc’s Walk of Life