Orsine Muntslag has been living in Lombardijen for more than thirty years. During those years, her involvement in the neighborhood grew and she committed herself to various places for children, families, and other residents. She still does that today. Orsine organizes and supports activities around Menanderstraat, Speeltuin Pascal, the House of the Neighborhood, Richard Krajicekveld, and Spinoza Park. From Easter and King’s Day with orange pancakes to a Christmas market and Keti Koti celebrations: she seldom sits still. She is also active in the Lombardijen Neighborhood Prevention Team in the Homersbuurt.

Orsine came up with the name LombaKidz for activities where all children from the neighborhood are welcome. Every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, she works with children in the vegetable garden. There they discover where food comes from and how plants grow. Five times a year they also go on an outing to nature outside Lombardijen.

Reading aloud is also part of her commitment. On Wednesdays, Orsine reads aloud around 2:45 pm to children aged 4 to 7 in the library at the House of the Neighborhood. On Thursdays, she does the same at Speeltuin Pascal for children aged 0 to 3 years old.

Orsine served on the neighborhood council for four years. Although she was not re-elected this time, she continues to help residents with, for example, contact with agencies, debts, or housing problems. She also organizes the neighborhood flea market at the House of the Neighborhood every last Saturday of the month.

For Orsine, it is all about looking out for each other and giving children opportunities.

Her many years of dedication make her a true Neighborhood Hero.

This article can also be read in the autumn edition of the neighborhood newspaper in Lombardijen: https://tinyurl.com/2zkn4amc