1/2 Laurenzo and two children at the loan (photo: Noël van Hooft).
Lazy youth, vandalism and crime: in the 1990s, Taxandriaplein in Den Bosch was known as an unsafe neighbourhood. Residents saw their neighborhood de Muntel deteriorate further and further and decided to do something about it themselves. And not without success, because the foundation they founded is twenty-five years old this weekend. Mayor Jack Mikkers therefore paid a visit to the square on Friday.
The driving force behind the success of Taxandriaplein is Laurenzo Limburg (55). “Twenty-five years ago, local residents did not dare to come to the square. Children did not dare to play there either. There was always a lot of arguing,” Laurenzo says.
The square itself didn’t look like much either: the playground equipment was almost falling apart and the lawn looked more like a mud bath.
We have to do something, the local residents thought at the time. They got together and set up the De Hobbel foundation for the neighbourhood. The Taxandriaplein was renovated and a toy lending facility was set up. Shortly afterwards, Laurenzo joined the foundation and he has been committed to it every day ever since. He manages the toy loan. “When I’m open here, all the children in the neighborhood can borrow toys here for free,” explains Laurenzo.
“With heitje voor chore, children can earn special coins.”
There is a real system behind the loan, so that the children learn the value of things. “I make a pass for children in the neighbourhood, with which they can borrow things for free. We also have a reward system. With chores for chores, for example cleaning up rubbish from the square, children can earn special coins. They can use these to borrow the larger toys, such as skippy balls, rollerblades or bicycles,” explains Laurenzo.
Children who do not live in the neighborhood can buy a day pass to borrow toys.
The foundation works, because since then the founders have lived in a bustling neighbourhood. “It is very cosy. Children play well together and parents make contact with each other”, Laurenzo says proudly.
“Laurenzo is the mayor of Taxandriaplein.”
And all without help from the municipality, because the foundation does not receive any subsidy. “Parents donate toys when their children are too old for them. We also buy toys with the proceeds from the day pass.” The municipality is doing its bit by paying Laurenzo a salary for the work he does every day. All other people involved in the foundation are volunteers.
In honor of the anniversary of De Hobbel, Mayor Jack Mikkers of Den Bosch paid a visit to thank the volunteers. “The mayor of Taxandriaplein”, Mikkers says about Laurenzo. “Partly thanks to his efforts, the square has changed enormously, which is really unparalleled. Laurenzo has ensured that everyone feels at home on the square again. There is now a connection in the neighborhood and the children are monitored in a good way.”
Fortunately, Laurenzo is happy to do so. He says he wants to run the loan as long as he can. “I often even find it difficult to take weekends, I would prefer to work here every day.”