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.’
