A new generation of young people has saved the Moluccan community center Toma in the Breda district of Driesprong from destruction. In November, the community building had to close its doors due to subsidy problems. A group of Moluccans in their twenties takes over management. And not just for themselves: “My grandmother is coming out again!” Saturday is the festive reopening.
25-year-old Patchouly Hinoke remembers that two people from the Moluccan community died in the winter: “Right when we were closed. We therefore had to put up a tent on the square to receive people to offer condolences and a cup of coffee. It was very cold and we almost blew away. We missed the community center enormously, while we were just standing in front of it.”
And so there was action from the Moluccan community. Together with a number of peers, Patchouly drummed up the youngsters from the neighbourhood. They quickly agreed that community center Toma should not disappear. “We thought we should do something for our neighborhood, like our grandfathers and uncles did before. Now we are old and wise enough ourselves.”
“The community center is important to our unit and that of our district.”
It has been more than seventy years since the first generation of Moluccans arrived in our country. That was supposed to be temporary, but their homeland was annexed by President Sukarno’s Indonesia after the Dutch occupation and World War II. They couldn’t go back.
The mutual bond is also still strong among the descendants. The role of the community center is very important in this. “We are a community that always seeks to connect with each other because of our history with the Netherlands,” says Patchouly.
“Our neighborhood is known for the trinity: the square, the community center and the church. Our entire neighborhood is built around that central point. With all our own norms, values and customs. If one of those three drops out, it’s a It’s only a matter of time before our culture fades or disappears. It’s important for our unity and that of our neighborhood.”
“My grandmother hardly came out on the street anymore.”
With this starting point, the young people contacted the municipality, housing association WonenBreburg and welfare organization Surplus. They found a willing ear. It was eventually agreed that they could reopen community center Toma and manage it themselves. On March 1, the door was unlocked again.
“I think our story touched them,” says Patchouly. “That a breath of fresh air will blow. That our story must be passed on. That the building is for our cultural heritage. The reopening was successful. That is important for us and for those who come after us. But certainly also for our elderly. My grandmother hardly came out on the street anymore, but luckily she is now out again.”
Saturday is the festive reopening of community center Toma with dance, music and a visit from mayor Depla. There are also plenty of activities afterwards. “There will be another walk-in evening every Friday. We will start with a gym for the elderly and in two weeks there will be a performance by a Moluccan saxophonist.”