Orsine Muntslag has been living in Lombardijen for more than thirty years. Over those years, her involvement in the neighborhood grew and she put effort into various places for children, families, and other residents. She still does this today. Orsine organizes and supports activities around Menanderstraat, Speeltuin Pascal, the Huis van de Wijk, the Richard Krajicekveld, and Spinoza Park. From Easter and King’s Day with orange pancakes to a Christmas market and Keti Koti celebrations: she does not sit still easily. She is also active in the Buurtpreventieteam Lombardijen 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 take a trip to nature outside Lombardijen.

Reading aloud is also part of her dedication. On Wednesdays, Orsine reads aloud around 2:45 PM to children aged 4 to 7 in the library in the Huis van de Wijk. On Thursdays, she does so at Speeltuin Pascal for children from 0 to 3 years old.

For four years, Orsine was on the neighborhood council. 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 in the Huis van de Wijk every last Saturday of the month.

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

Her many years of dedication make her a true Neighborhood Hero.This article is also available in the autumn edition of the neighborhood newspaper in Lombardijen: https://tinyurl.com/2zkn4amc