Women from far corners of the world, between Belgium and New Zealand

Denise Kingwell, a New Zealander by birth, is a woman with rich and varied life experiences. Her path led her to leave her home country to explore the world, before settling in Belgium, where she has now lived in Walloon Brabant since 2018. It is a remarkable story of discovery, adventure and commitment to the planet.

Denise grew up in New Zealand and trained in Auckland. After leaving her home country in 1984, she spent a decade in England before becoming a volunteer with a British organisation. Here his life took an unexpected turn. She was sent to Sierra Leone as a teacher and met a Belgian working for the European Commission. Their meeting sparked a series of adventures that led them to live in several countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia. Denise was deeply involved in these communities, often working with animals, one of her passions.

Today, Denise is retired, but she remains committed. It closely follows environmental issues, in particular the situation in Brazil and the North Sea. She admires figures such as Sir David Attenborough for their commitment to the planet.

His hobbies in Belgium reflect his love of physical activity, such as cycling and running. She also appreciates the arts, especially cinema and performances. However, she wants to keep part of the house, and read widely in English.

For Denis, Belgium is a relaxed and peaceful country, with nature all around and at hand.

What he misses most about his native New Zealand is the sun, light and warm sea. However, she returned in 2018 after an absence of 23 years, an emotional experience that made her proud of her New Zealand identity.

As for the future, Denise remains open to new projects and discovering other countries. His life is a testament to the richness of encounters and experiences that can arise when one dares to leave one’s comfort zone to explore the world.