The Eva and Johannes Schellevis Fund

Eva and Johannes Schellevis.

Raised in Europe during World War II, Eva Maria Schnitzler and Johannes Schellevis migrated to New Zealand separately in the early 1950’s, from Germany and Holland, respectively. They met in Napier before marrying and settling in Wellington.

Both Eva and Johannes worked and studied at Victoria University. While John completed his Political Science Masters, Eva graduated with law degree in 1962; the only woman in her class. Following this, they pursued careers in the areas of law reform, legal publishing, journalism, marketing and management.

Having learnt English as a second or third language, the Eva and Johannes Schellevis Fund primarily seeks to support migrants and refugees by providing educational opportunities and English lessons. Given Eva and Johannes’ experiences of hardship, displacement and hunger during their childhoods, the fund also seeks to support initiatives working to alleviate poverty and ensure access to food, such as local foodbanks and community gardens.