The 30-year-old Mauro Manuel from Geldrop can no longer be compared to the Mauro who was in the news a lot ten years ago. After nine years with a foster family, he actually had to return to his native Angola, but the children’s pardon put a stop to that. The quiet and shy Mauro has now become a smooth entrepreneur. He is currently working on his big dream with crowdfunding: his own sustainable clothing line.
For those who don’t know Mauro’s history: at the age of nine he was put on a plane in Angola. Via Portugal he ended up with a foster family in the Netherlands.
In 2011, after an asylum procedure, he was told that he had to return to Angola. That caused quite a stir. Mauro and his foster parents were regular guests on talk shows. Mauro eventually got a residence permit through the children’s pardon.
“I deliberately opted for the lee.”
After that period, Mauro disappeared from view. “I consciously chose that. I was in the spotlight for a few years. I was only concerned with how others thought of me. When I walked on the street, people wanted to take a picture with me. That was all super sweet , but at some point it was enough. I needed more time for myself.”
Mauro was also trained as a system administrator during that period. He also got into a relationship and later a daughter. “My girlfriend was pregnant. I started to wonder if I was doing the right job. System Administrator was nice, but it wasn’t my choice. It was nice that I had a degree, but I wasn’t cut out for the job. I wanted to be a better person.”
“I don’t want to burden people with even more mess at home.”
Mauro does this by stepping into the world of sustainable clothing. Or as he calls himself: friendly fashion. “A year and a half ago I launched the sustainable clothing brand Mausons. I want to inspire people with clothing. I want to show everyone how the clothing is made. No environmentally polluting materials and no chemicals. The items are delivered in 100% compostable packaging. I want people don’t saddle yourself with even more junk in the house.”
With a crowdfunding he tries to raise enough money to make his dream come true. “With an amount of 60,000 to 130,000 euros I can launch a completely sustainable clothing line.”
“I’m super proud of who I’ve become.”
Mauro also wants to have his own clothing store and an office in the long term. “I want to further expand the Mausons brand. I also want to make people aware of the importance of sustainability. My clothing can be recycled and new clothing can also be made from it.”
Is he happy? “Happiness is an illusion,” he says philosophically. “I have a beautiful girlfriend and a super cute daughter. I am a sustainable entrepreneur and enjoy what I am doing. I am very proud of who I have become.”
Mauro’s daughter is also asking more and more questions: “She now knows my story and knows where I come from. Why did people want to send me away? Whether I was ever angry or sad during that difficult period? I think it’s important to explain that to her. It’s also part of her life.”