Bracha makes a magazine

There are people you think: how many hours are in your day? Just because they manage to accomplish so much. Bracha is also on that list. And three young children, and a busy filming schedule (yes, there’s another fresh season of Oogappels coming, hooray!) and she is also an ambassador for Edukans. There was even a bit of time to create a magazine for that and to speak with us.

You became an ambassador for Edukans in 2013. At that time, I think back, you were still pregnant with Sophia and perhaps not even thinking about school and education. What made you think: I need to do this and now?
 ‘I was indeed pregnant with Sophia when I was asked. I was immediately touched by Edukans, a small organization that works towards better education in developing countries. They provide the right tools so that people in the respective country can continue on their own. Self-supporting is of course very important, because then you have a much better chance that they benefit from it and that it succeeds. I had no idea how busy it would get with a child, and I certainly didn’t know that twins were on the way. But despite the busyness at home, I gladly make time for it. Edukans gives children a future. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” as Nelson Mandela said. And that’s true.’

You have previously said you chose Edukans because they want to give people the knowledge to provide good education independently on-site. Which projects that have started in recent years are you proud of?
‘When I was in Ghana, I saw various projects. One of those projects was focused on the teachers. Sometimes the problem is not that there is no school with teachers, but the problem is that the teachers themselves have had no or a poor education and are therefore unable to teach well. Edukans gave them the chance to master their profession. I spoke to some of these teachers and they were all full of energy and pride. They now had contact with the students and the lesson material was reaching them. That gave them great satisfaction. I found that very beautiful to see.’

Your children go to a Dutch primary school. This week it was in the news that children in the Netherlands are among the happiest in the world, partly due to the good education. Can you mention something that makes you happy about the education your children receive?
‘In the Netherlands, everything is very well organized. And because I work with Edukans, I realize more and more how privileged we are in that regard. Yet you often see that your own children are happiest at school when they have a good relationship with their teacher. I remember that from my own childhood. The subjects I enjoyed the most were taught by my favorite teachers. Fortunately, my children have been lucky with their teachers and they enjoy going to school.’

I can also imagine that there are things in the schools you visited for Edukans from which we could learn something. Can you mention something?
‘What struck me the most during my trip to Ghana was how incredibly proud they were. Proud of what they had achieved with their school, partly due to Edukans. That is something we tend to be more reserved about. Something we could learn from. You should be proud of what you do. Being proud also gives you a huge boost of energy to develop further.’

You have now created your second magazine for Edukans: ‘Groep 3!’. Can you tell us something about it?
‘After we made ‘Vier!’, a kind of survival guide for parents with children starting school, and there was enormous interest in it, we thought: what is the next big step in primary school? ‘Groep 3!’ The transition from kindergarten (group 2) to school child is very significant for many children. Suddenly, they have to sit still a lot and can play less. That requires a lot of concentration from them. You end up with crying fits and tired children coming home, while you thought your children had gotten used to school by now. This magazine includes tips from experts, fun facts, and parent blunders.’

How did you experience the transition from group 2 to group 3 as a mother?
‘Sophia was ready for group 3 because she had been in kindergarten for two and a half years. She was looking forward to it, and so was I. The idea that she would learn to read and write was very exciting. She found it a nice year, but sometimes also difficult. Just working. We also had to practice reading at home. I found that quite challenging at times because you don’t want to push it, and she was often too tired after such a day at school. At some point, you find your rhythm and then it all works out.’

What do you want to achieve with this magazine? When are you happy and satisfied?
‘It would be nice if parents find something useful in the magazine or just enjoy reading it. Recognition provides comfort and is often funny. Furthermore, I hope that those parents will also want to give other children a chance at education. As Barbara Baarsma said: “Education is the most important equality engine we have to give children opportunities.” For us, going to school is very normal, but millions of children still do not go to school or receive poor education. Hopefully, everyone will want to do something about that.’

Your daughter Sophia is on the cover of this magazine. Do you try to make her aware of the educational privilege we have?
‘I almost took Sophia to Ghana, but we ultimately had to see that off. She is always very interested in what I do for Edukans. Is school the same? What games do they play? Why can’t they go to school then? Sophia is growing up privileged. The more I can show her that not every child grows up the same and that going to school is not normal for everyone, the better. Furthermore, she found the photoshoot a great adventure. She practiced endlessly on her ‘I don’t care’ look with which she appears on the cover. Haha.’

What is on the agenda for the upcoming period?
‘I am currently working on the recordings of Oogappels 3. Furthermore, I will be in the performance Stille Kracht at ITA starting November 14.’

And where can people order this edition?
‘You can order the magazine Groep3! for free at www.edukans.nl/groep3.’