If you say during a job interview that you come from the Hambaken problem area in Den Bosch, it often does not work to your advantage. 17-year-old Safae Bonnani can relate to that. That is why she was so pleased that Queen Máxima came to her neighborhood on Tuesday to talk to young people and their parents about equal opportunities.
Safae says: “Our neighborhood is seen as criminal and bad. When I went to apply for a job, they saw that I come from the Hambaken. They doubted whether I would take the job seriously based on my address. It is a pity that people have prejudice.”
“I thought it was very special that I could talk to Máxima.”
On Tuesday, Máxima de Brede visited Bossche primary school De Hambaken (BBS) and the youth center Hambaken. “I am very proud that the Queen is visiting our district. I am happy that we can now show the good things we are doing here,” says Safae.
She spoke with Máxima about the action program Talent Telt. This has been developed by, among others, the municipality, schools, sports clubs and cultural institutions to give children equal opportunities. Among other things, they can make music, do sports and cook.
Safae is happy with the project. “Otherwise I would never have known that I can cook and ice hockey well,” she says with a smile. But it brought her more. “In the past I could never talk about my problems. Now I can and that also helps me in my development.”
And how did she find the queen herself? “I thought it was very special that I could talk to her. She was great fun. You will not experience this a second time in your life.”
“Young people develop their talents in a playful way.”
Alderman for talent development Ufuk Kâhya was also born and raised in the district. He notices that not every child gets equal opportunities.
“It is not self-evident that children here can bring out the best in themselves. Factors such as origin, place of residence or financial situation sometimes have a negative influence on this. Every child has a talent and deserves an environment in which to discover it,” he explains. out.
“Here in the Hambaken we do that, for example, by cooking with young people outside school hours. Not only do they learn how to make a dish, but they also develop their language skills by reading recipes. And because of this they know more about a healthy lifestyle. This is how they develop their talents in a playful way.”
The city wants to show Máxima how the neighborhood has improved when it comes to equal opportunities. “The parents, but also youth and community workers are involved in what children do at school. The math and language games that the children play at school, they also play at home with their parents.”
“We can increasingly stand up for the rights of our children.”
Parents are crucial when it comes to a good start for a child. That is why women from the neighborhood have set up the Hambaken Doet foundation themselves. They help each other and their children to be strong in life, to learn from each other and to inspire each other. “This allows us to better stand up for our rights and those of our children,” says a mother.
But there is still room for improvement. Alderman Kâhya: “Through the conversation with Máxima and the mothers, I know that I will also have to go after the fathers in the coming period. They must also help when it comes to equality of opportunity for their children.”
