Finding Yourself in Uncertain Times: Truth, Connection & Love

Family, Work and Wellbeing 26–28 September 2025
Theme: Finding Yourself in Uncertain Times: Truth, Connection & Love

A transformative weekend designed for women, including students and young professionals

Why Attend
In a world filled with noise, pressure, and constant movement, the SheSustains Wellbeing Weekend offers a sacred pause. Whether you’re a student navigating transitions, a young professional balancing ambition and identity, or a woman nurturing home, work, or relationships, this weekend is designed for you.

Step into a space where you can breathe deeply, connect meaningfully, and rediscover yourself, in the calm of nature and the company of supportive women. You’ll leave feeling rested, inspired, and equipped to nurture the most important relationships in your life, including the one with yourself to foster resilience, healing, and a sustainable sense of wellbeing.

What Awaits You

A full day to dive deeper into self-awareness, meaningful connection, and shared experiences. Expect a warm mix of inspiration, reflection, nature, creativity, and personal growth.
-Meaningful Conversations & Storytelling: Explore personal journeys of courage, healing, and growth through storytelling, guided reflections, and open dialogue.
-Nature & Reflection: Unplug with gentle nature walks in the forested grounds of Zonnewende. Reflect, journal, and reconnect with yourself.
-Grounding Activities & Creative Workshops: Grounding somatic exercises to a fun fashion swap, experience joy through movement & dance, creativity, and calm.

Friday 26 September

19.30-20.30 Arrival & Registration
20.30-21.00 Welcome Address & Intention setting
21.00 and onwards Borrel & Games

Saturday 27 September – Know Yourself, Connect Authentically

9.15-9.45 breakfast

10.00-10.30 Story Sharing I
Sophia Wang Becoming Me: Character formation in times of uncertainty

Born in China and raised in the Netherlands, Sophia Wang holds a Master’s in Public International Law and works as a Legal Policy Officer. Baptised into the Catholic Church in 2021, she draws on her faith and love to navigate life’s challenges. When her role as Legal Counsel was made redundant, she discovered that happiness is not the absence of trials but the choice to remain grounded in faith, hope, and love. At the Wellbeing Weekend, Sophia will share her journey of character formation and her reflections on how to find joy in uncertain times. Guided by her belief that we are called not to own what is entrusted to us, but to love and care for it, Sophia earlier wrote a children’s book on sustainability and intercultural friendship: “The Adventures of Mumu”.

10.30-11.00 Story Sharing II
Emilia Maria Lopez Pardo Silence! Be still in the Storm

A married mom of two and a global soul, Emi describes herself as someone whose faith and perspective on life can no longer be confined to “just Sundays.” She brings honesty, warmth, and lived experience to help us reflect on how we can cultivate resilience and peace, whatever our background or beliefs

11.00-11.30 Tea/Coffee

11.30-12.00 Story Sharing III
Arethusa Zanoni Hitting Rock Bottom and Rising up Again

Originally from Brazil and living in the Netherlands for 18 years, Arethusa lives by the values of faith, family, friendship, and meaningful connection. She describes resilience as her “middle name,” having experienced firsthand how hitting rock bottom reshaped her mindset and strengthened her ability to evolve and rise again. At the Wellbeing Weekend, Arethusa will share her story of persistence, belief, and the vital role family and community play in pushing us through life’s most difficult moments. Her reflections will invite us to pause, re-evaluate our busy lives, and rediscover what we truly need to thrive.

12.00-13.30 Stories Review & Prep for Mirroring Workshop

13.30-15.00 Lunch Break

15.00-17.30 Nature Walk/Reflection Time

17.30-18.00 Meditation in the chapel (optional)

18.30-19.15 Dinner

19.15-21.00 Veena Joseph The Mirror Within: Relating with Clarity and Ease Across Personalities

In this interactive workshop, Veena invites participants to explore the DISC personality framework as a tool for self-awareness and connection. By looking into the “mirror within,” we begin to see how our interactions reflect our values, beliefs, and perceptions. This awareness helps us understand ourselves more deeply and in turn, relate to others with greater clarity, empathy, and ease.

Through guided activities and reflection, participants will:
-Gain insight into their own personality style.
-Recognize how personal triggers arise and what they reveal.
-Practice responding rather than reacting to differences.
-Learn practical ways to communicate with respect across diverse personalities.

Veena Joseph, originally from India, has lived in the Netherlands for over 13 years. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration and is an ICF-certified counselor and coach. With a background in banking, teaching, and program management, she now focuses on life transitions and career development. Veena facilitates workshops for The Beautiful Unseen and serves as an internal coach for Thrive, a project supporting migrant women. Passionate about transformation, she creates safe spaces for people, especially women navigating migration, to reconnect with themselves, strengthen their mental health, and move toward clarity and reinvention. She is also a co-founder of SheSustains.

21.00 Relax and Drinks

28 Sept. Sunday – Building Belonging & Friendship

8.00-8.30 Meditation (optional)

8.45-9.15 Breakfast

10.00-11.30 Arrival of Partners + 11.00 Coffee

10.15 H. Mass (optional)

From this moment this Sunday activity is open to partners, husbands, and friends aged 15+

Building Meaningful Friendships & Strong Relationships by Ciro and Caroline Candia

Ciro and Caroline have been married for over 30 years and have seven children and one grandchild. In 1996, they helped to start a primary school in London, where they both worked for 25 years – Ciro as Head and Caroline as a teacher. More recently, Ciro was also Director of Ethos for an educational trust, where he helped to develop a life-coaching programme for sixth formers. Beyond their work in education, they lead the ProFamily Foundation, supporting couples and parents through hubs, workshops and conferences. Ciro also hosts ProParent, a monthly show on Radio Maria England.

11.30-13.00 Session 1: The Heart of Friendship in Relationships

Friendship is at the core of every lasting relationship, whether in marriage, dating, family, or close friendships. Ciro and Caroline will share insights from their life experience and years of supporting people in different walks of life. The session will include a light-hearted “Friendship Quiz” to help participants reflect on how well they know and understand one another, followed by an interactive Q&A.

13.00-14.00 Lunch

14.00-16.00 Session 2: Creating a Culture of Belonging

Every person, whether single or partnered, contributes to shaping the “family culture” of the communities and circles they belong to. Ciro and Caroline will highlight challenges we face today and share practical ways to build identity, values, and traditions that foster belonging. Participants will be guided through reflection questions to help them think about the kind of culture they want to cultivate in their own lives and relationships.

16.00-17.00 Take Aways, Closure

Welcome and Closing Notes by Christy Aikhorin, Director WECF NL & Co-Founder SheSustains.

Details & Pricing
185 EUR / person –
Includes:
2 nights in a private ensuite room
All meals & drinks

Full participation in the transformational weekend program
Optional add-ons:

-Single day attendance
-Sunday partner or friend pass
-Free coaching draw with Veena of Forerunners
-Fashion Swap curated by UnikBlends

Who This Is For
-Women aged 18+
-Students, young professionals, single women, or married women
-All who long for deeper connection, emotional clarity, and authentic relationships

Photos and Videos:

Please note that photos and videos may be taken during the event. By Participating at the event, you grant SheSustains the permission to capture your photo/video of the event that may be used on social media and other communication channels.

If you wish not to be included in any photos or videos please notify us by sending an email to: SheSustains11@gmail.com