Students are eager to cook meals for vulnerable Rotterdammers

Zadkine Startcollege students cook meals for vulnerable Rotterdammers together with their catering teachers. The students are so eager to help that they even queue up during their holidays. Education manager at Zadkine Startcollege lecture location Rotterdam Zuid, Nilanthi Lammers is enthusiastic. ‘We see that our initiative has awakened something in our students and teachers.’

What does Zadkine Startcollege do?

‘We offer 1-year MBO-courses to students who have dropped out of mainstream education because they come from detention, a healthcare institution or day-care, or have not passed VMBO, for example. But also, for people who have just moved to the Netherlands. Our students often want to do a course at level 2, but first need level 1. We also offer them individual guidance.’

You cook meals for Rotterdammers, how did that idea come about?

‘For our catering course, we always cook meals for a low price for Rotterdammers in need in Vreewijk. They usually eat at our building, but because of corona, this was stopped. On LinkedIn, I saw an appeal from community police officer Natalie van Hoorn asking if there were people who could provide help with meals for vulnerable children. Many children no longer receive a healthy meal at home. That really affected me.’

How did you get started?

‘I responded that we naturally wanted to do something. Our catering teachers were immediately enthusiastic. Our students often come from a vulnerable position themselves, so it’s nice for them to be able to help. Natalie received many responses and brought us into contact with the municipality of Rotterdam. We were asked how many meals we could make. We can do a lot. In the end, we agreed to make a total of 3,000 meals over 10 weeks.’

Do you work alone?

‘We work with partners. We buy the products ourselves, but we also receive a lot of donations. This allows us to keep the price of a meal low. 3 times a week, a van from Pameijer comes to pick up the meals and take them to the Huis van de Wijk De Nieuwe Gaffel. From there, the meals are distributed throughout the city. The Facilicom Foundation reimburses the cost of the meal’

Have you had a good response?

‘We’ve received very warm, positive reactions. From our partners, but also residents in Vreewijk. The students are very enthusiastic. They are waiting in line to be allowed to cook. Due to the measures, a maximum of 2 teachers and 2 students can be in the kitchen at the same time. But the cooking continues during the school holidays. Our teachers are also willing to make an extra effort during this time. It’s wonderful to see.’

Will you continue to make meals in the future?

 

My selection