The prince tells about a workshop ‘Binding’ in Amsterdam where he was present this morning due to the Orange fund. ’There were 200 people present with great ideas to connect various groups in these neighborhood centers. By being present and talking to people, I can make sure that there is attention for such an initiative. It gives an extra impulse to the meeting.
Máxima: That is also how I see our role. To bring the work of other people under the attention. By strengthening the work of specialists. But also by uniting people. In connecting different people who will be able to make decisions in a different way for their work or a project. That is, I think, our biggest strength: connecting people.
WA: We were able to use our representative and supportive role during the state visit to India, two years ago. Máxima and I talk together about our work for micro credits and water management. In India it became clear that the people who successfully used a micro credit, were actually facing problems with water. There either was too much rain or too little. By making this a theme during the state visit, we were able to bring people together, due to which water micro credits were started.
Mayor Cohen: ‘You already did so much work. By your work for Pavem (foundation for integration of immigrant women), for the Orange Fund, and also for micro finance. Also due to you micro credits became very well known. How did you start?
Máxima: That is a long story. I have always been busy with the question: how can I help people to get new perspectives? Also in The Netherlands. Already at 16 I wanted to study economy, because I thought: when the economic situation of other countries improves, everybody in the society can play a part. Maybe naïve, but…
Mayor Cohen: Not naïve, idealistic perhaps, but you were 16.
Máxima: It is not the best way to achieve that though. When later I heard in New York about micro credits, I immediately thought: that is it. Instead of giving somebody a fish, you are giving them a hook and line. I got more information about micro credits . Because I met my husband, and I had to rearrange my life my focus was elsewhere first. I had to move to another country, learn Dutch, getting to know The Netherlands. But when I was asked in 2005 to participate in the UN International Year of Micro Credit, I started that with a lot of joy. I believe that people can help themselves when they get the right tools. Micro credit is such an tool. Learning a language is also a tool, just like creating places where women can develop themselves.
Later in the conversation, when the expression ‘golden cage’ is dropped, the princess says: ‘The attack at Queen’s Day also made us think: how to continue? But I also think that we can never do our job without getting in touch with people. That gives a lot of value and content to our work.
WA: That contact is essential.
COOKING TOGETHER
But how do they do that practically, the mayor wants to know. With such a busy agenda with each of them their own tasks and with three small daughters: Amalia (6), Alexia (4) and Ariane (2). How do you make it fit?
Máxima: We use all the moments that we are together. When we are together in a car we discuss the things that are going on, the agenda. It is always tricky to make it fit. There is always too little time. In that I don’t think we are that different from other young families that have a lot of things on their plate. And who also still have to cook.
Mayor Cohen: Who is cooking at your house?
Máxima: To be honest, we don’t cook all that often.
WA: We warm things up. Long live the micro wave.
Mayor Cohen: I recognize that.
WA: We often cook during the skiing holidays. For most people it is nice to not have to cook. But with us it is the other way around.After skiing we go to the super market, after which we cook.
Mayor Cohen: And then there are 3 daughters.
Máxima: Yes, our daughters. Fantastic. That is so delightful! It ius a challenge to organize everything though. You want to offer them the best: from violin lessons to sports. Swimming, tennis.
WA: Judo, ballet.
Máxima: With other mothers I sometimes organize a carpool. These mothers are also busy. They sometimes call me with the question: ‘Can you pick up my daughter? Because I am still in a meeting in Zeeland.’ We help each other very well.
WA: The fathers also help out., although it is less than the mothers.
The family moment of the day is breakfast.
Máxima: Even if it means that we have to wake up earlier, breakfast together in the morning is sacred to us. The children are at their best then.
WA: In the evening there are often dinners and receptions, which makes it difficult to eat together.
THE UPBRINGING
Mayor Cohen: I wondered if there are any typically Argentinian elements in the upbringing?
Máxima shakes her head: I feel so Dutch, I actually can’t think of anything. There isn’t much of a difference. Maybe the fact that we dance a lot at home, but I think all children do that.
WA: When we were getting to know each other, we discovered that even though we grew up 13.000 kilometers from each other, we were raised with the same values.
Máxima: We think the same things are important in the upbringing. That children learn that there are boundaries. That your freedom stops where that of another begins.
WA: We aren’t parents who constantly say: Do that, don’t do that. Sometimes we can give our children a lot of freedom, but sometimes you have to say: now you have to stop, no discussion is possible.
Máxima: It is about clarity. That you communicate well why something is or isn’t allowed. We try to give our children confidence, to learn to have respect and an eye for others. But also believe in yourself and in your opportunities. Stay curious. Don’t be satisfied with the first answer, don’t be short sighted.
WA: But we also want them to be a child. These days children are confronted with so many things, which makes them wiser than they can handle emotionally. We have to make sure that these two things don’t get in conflict. I find it for example special to see how Amalia and Alexia were busy with Haiti.
Máxima: Especially Amalia. She is very curious: where do earthquakes happen, she asks.
WA: It started with a visit to natural museum Naturalis. Realizing that the earth can act strangely: earthquakes, volcano’s.She is busy with it, also with Haiti. We almost couldn’t think of any more chores because she wanted to make money to give to Haiti through school.
Máxima: That people don’t have water, don’t have food, she thinks about that too. She wants to know everything, but you wonder how far you should go? Up to which point does it add to her general education and up to which point does it give her an unsafe feeling?
The question if their children are aware of their special position is answered with a yes.
WA: Of course. Even if it would only be because school mates remind them of it. That isn’t so bad. But you have to help them to deal with it. In the sense that they are not thinking about it all the time. They aren’t. A few times when my mother is on television. At that moment she is the queen. At our home we never speak about her that way, she just is grandmother.
Máxima: our daughters have to discover themselves what it means for them. That is why I think confidence is very important. Be strong, and know from that position who you are, what you mean and what your responsibilities are.
Mayor Cohen: How do they experience a photo shoot for the press, like last year on the beach?
Máxima: It was a process. I remember that the first time Amalia couldn’t even smile. The next time I prepared her and now they know that it is part of it.
WA: What did Amalia say to Ariane on the ebach again?
Máxima: Ariane didn’t have a clue of course, she just walked along with her sisters. But Amalia told her: don’t worry, you only have to smile and give replies. After that we can play again.Everybody had to laugh about that of course.
