Joke van den Boomen
With a broad smile and a head full of stories, Joke sits with her Haagse Hopjes in the Transvaal neighbourhood park. As she herself says: 'her baby'.
Joke was born on one corner of the square. The park wasn't there yet. Later, my husband and I moved to the other corner, Joke says, pointing to a spot behind the petting zoo. She now looks out over the neighbourhood park from her house on the other corner. And her house is also the office for Haagse Hopjes.
Everyone is welcome
More than thirty years ago, Joke was inspired by a project in Rotterdam: Duimdrop. She only thought one thing: this should also come to The Hague.
With a wink to the city and to the well-known Hague sweet, she called her initiative 'Haagse Hopjes'. A meeting place for children and parents, where everyone is welcome.
On King's Day, the park changes into a vibrant party every year with bouncy castles, sports activities and hundreds of visitors. But the park is also alive on normal days. 'We have a group of loyal volunteers. Some have been here for over 25 years.
And the parents of the children meet here too. Polish, Bulgarian and African women. Sometimes they even take each other's children to school. It's beautiful to see.'
Aunt Joke
In the neighborhood, everyone knows her as Aunt Joke. Children who grew up here still come by later waving. 'Sometimes they call out laughing: “You didn't think I was that nice when you were little!” Then they wave again', says Joke laughing.
Yet Joke also sees that the atmosphere can change in the evening. Groups of young people take over the park. 'That scares others, for example Turkish and Moroccan women who no longer dare to sit here. I think that's a shame. Everyone should feel welcome here.'
'I'm from after the war and I'd like to keep it that way.'
A nice childhood because of this place
Hopjes dolls
Joke records every activity in a photo book, and there are even cheerful 'Hopjes-poppetjes' designed: children playing and playing sports who bring the park to life. One memory is particularly dear to her: 'A Bulgarian boy once put flowers in my hair. Those flowers are now hanging dried on the wall at home.'
Joke looks into the park with twinkling eyes. 'I've seen generations grow up here. And as long as I'm here, I'll keep doing that.'
