Influencer Maigdualida ‘Ida’ Laveist

Interview December 2023

LOVE PRAY AND PERSEVERE

Never turn your back on children notwithstanding their walks in life

By Angelica Parris

It took me a while to get a hold of her. But I heard her and I was impressed. Maigualida “Ida” is another unsung hero. Once you know her story it will ease your mind that heroes don’t give up. Then they come back and win the battle without a scratch.

Her story
“I was born in Curaçao. We are 5 siblings three boys two sisters 3 in Curacao 2 in Holland. My mom was always involved in family activities. My daughter is studying in Holland. I come from a very unified family and we do everything together. We celebrate all yearly events such as Christmas King and Queen’s birthday. One family member will suggest some activity and we all have to prioritize and it happens. Family events are important in our family.”

*Ida (right on the picture) with her family*

“I became very active after I had my daughter. The school she attended, asked me to help and everything that had to do with her. That within itself creates a long chain of work. I worked for 29 years in the insurance world. After Covid I have been working independently, I was an assistant Supervisor. As a freelance worker, I help family members in the field. I used to be a homeschool read mom, I opened my library in Sentro di Bario Koraal Specht. We guide children and the youth with their reading skills.”

A happy young man inspired by the group in which Ida works.

You never stop improving
Ida worked and upgraded her knowledge working with many organizations as a volunteer like Rema Uni, Reda Social, Unidat di Bario, Curadoet, World Clean up Date, FAK. She roamed in the Nieuw Nederland area, during vacation projects with the neighborhood youth of the Penstraat, Nieuw Nederland area. If you have never been to Curaçao explore it and see the beauty and all the efforts that our people make for a brighter opportunity for the future.

The Avila Beach area Nieuw Nederland runs from Botica Juliana till right by the church of Steenrijk. Sometimes you really have to learn how centered a neighborhood can be. Nieuw Nederland to this date is a very popular close-knit neighborhood.

Ida is a freelancer and she works for a local accounting firm
“My daughter complains and says: Mom why do keep volunteer work? I just say I love it, it’s an experience that you can’t explain. I have helped so many neighborhoods and young adults they never forget you. It’s a huge tap on the shoulder. I remember how a young man approached me and said Aunty don’t you remember me? He used to work as a gas station helper and I always tipped him.” That’s Ida, a powerful influencer.

Some youths are ignored
“I have been busy for 21 years with children in my “barrio as we call them in Papiamentu. Now I am anchored in Koraal Specht because I see how the youth there is being ignored. A better future means taking it with a grain of salt and returning to the battleground: “They are being labeled as problem children, but this trend will never end unless we break the chain. I just returned from Holland and I am hearing so much negative information so I have to return to work and start giving them support. In church, I am approached by parents who confide me with their worries, that their children do not go to school for example.”

Willingness to help
“I always helped, this is my push. My willingness to help is so great. I still help children who were on my daughter’s swimming team. I as it motivates me. A child is on his or her way to get somewhere, but you have to be there to keep stimulating them. My presence demands respect, if someone else goes to address them, it may influence them differently. That is the reason why I stay. Pensioners in the educational system tell me: “When you arrive everything starts running smoothly. Maybe I have a different approach. I start with Love. Not with a dictatorial rule. I approach with a different angle but that is me!”

Love the secret ingredient
Love is a powerful ingredient in everything and once you read this, you can understand what makes everyone tick.

“Once there was a pupil I gave a ride to my mother’s house and I had to go to my mom’s house. There was some money in the car. Cautiously he said to me Auntie put that money away. Trust was the reason that he confessed his weak point. That is a turning point in a child’s life and a leader’s role. If you don’t regulate your pupils, the love won’t reach his or her heart. Regulate, Reason, and remember the LOVE!”

Ida has challenges equal to a diplomat in a small war
“I dealt with many of the after-school programs in Koraal Specht that were doing fine, but as soon as I returned from vacation, I noticed that things were going sour. An angry child kicked the pillows and turned it into turmoil. I asked him why he was kicking everything. He turned around and kicked me. I slapped him in the leg. He fell on the floor and cried like I tried to kill him. I asked the others how they felt. The next day he came and apologized. I was hoping the parents would come. The child takes karate lessons. I told the grandmother what happened. No drama. Innocence came into action. The pupil apologized. He said he was sorry and sat next to me for the rest of the afternoon. The karate lessons showed him to kick, but he was expressing aggressiveness. Parents should be careful in what sports they put their children. That is why I took and I am still taking classes in behavior.

I learned that my daughter loves attention. I placed her in swimming sports, where she did get all the attention on a positive note. But if it was baseball it would be different. I put her in the church so she receives all the attention in positive environments until she calms down. Parents are responsible for their children’s needs. Sports are good, but I see their individual needs. I bypass the parents to help them at their level. There is one in Holland who excels. To this date, we keep in touch. But sometimes they express themselves poorly of their upbringing. This student thinks low of his family members and I said don’t do that. They used to feel ashamed of them. But this is important because as a supporter you can always do so much.”

Being pushed out: a mind is a terrible thing to waste
My challenge is, that I have to feel out the child to give them the support they need. If a child is aggressive don’t send them to karate lessons. I see children who are aggressive at an early age. Hurtful contact sports. “Slagbal, trefbal are traditional Dutch games you have to hit someone with the ball to survive. When they are hit, in my program one goes out to punch the other they have to learn that is a game to lose to win. I know a child who refuses to play because they stepped on his foot. Can you imagine what kind of monster he can become? He was placed in ZMLK (Lower assessed school). As an after-school leader, I discovered that he has potential. However, teachers tend to push a child away because of their character. But he is one of the best readers in my group. I approached a social worker to orientate the after-school children.”

Art and love expression the Ida way
“We asked the children to draw. You have no idea what they feel: a dragon and a bag of money. The dragon has to guard the bag of money, I wondered why a child has to feel that way. They could draw on the walls on the floor. Expression has to be free. But children from other schools drew beautifully and mixed their colors well. It’s still hard.

I feel for the kids leave me but I can’t give hope, I have to continue. So as an afterschool leader, I have to keep fighting for our children. Recently I spoke to Myron from the Fuik Project and I see that you have to share and give hints.

God made us to work together, unity creates a strong force. When I have to find baluarte (hero) and migrants in the barrios, they should join hands if we as a multi-cultural community have to join. I love joining people and working as a team.”

““I am as I am. I don’t like trouble I walk away from it. I am caring especially when it concerns children.”

How are dilemmas dealt with?
“When dilemmas present, I deal with them. If it opportunity presents itself at the school where they can be placed, even if it’s not where the child belongs: I do the utmost to get the right information. I have the feeling that they can go a different route and get support. Many times when I feel that I have to make decisions as a believer I pray and ask God for help and to guide me in my journey.”

“When I hike I open my mind to, for a better vision of things.”

“God gives me hints of what to do and how. As a sport I hike, walk in the grove, and climb mountains. When I hike, I open my mind to a better vision of things. Whether you swim, hike, or just take time out in nature it helps. At my age, I avoid things that eat my energy away. If it takes away my energy I walk away if members are toxic. I avoid energy-sucking organizations. I read many books. We like to take interns in our project from Holland so they can learn how we deal with our children. We can compare the studies and see what is good for us and what is good for them to apply knowledge. A grandmother confided to me that the child does not know much because the mother is also slow in her cognitive capacity. It may be true but I can’t just go and accept that stamp placed on the child. In Koraal Specht there are many talented students, but they are set back. I am looking for someone from their neighborhood to boost them.”

Perseverance a mighty word
“I love fighting for the cause, called it perseverance. I am always ready to help and improve in everything as long as it’s a small support. I would love to introduce myself as someone always ready to help, to give love. I have the strength to feel someone in pain or sadness. I am always ready to hug them so that they can feel my empathy. But some people you leave alone. I was honored as a baluarte I helped during Covid 19 by doing volunteer work, while working full time. I don’t like people who do not keep their word!

I hear world leaders of the world say PUSH ‘Pray Until Something Happens’ I kept my promise. I can still teach and learn.”

One of the 250 Influencers

Maigualida ‘Ida’ Laveist is a remarkable individual. Her story is one of unwavering dedication, genuine passion, and a profound commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. As an even-tempered, passionate, and curious soul, Ida embodies the qualities of a true educator and compassionate human being.

What sets Ida apart is her multi-faceted role as a mother, volunteer, and educator. Her journey nowadays unfolds mostly in Sentro di Bario Koraal Specht, where she nurtures the minds of children and youth, fostering their reading skills within the walls of the library she oversees. This commitment stems from a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education, a belief that she has carried throughout her life.

Ida’s involvement in numerous NGO organizations has transformed her into an experienced and wise person with lots of knowledge, skills, and experience. Even after her daughter – the main reason she got involved in different organizations in the first place – embarked on her studies in Holland, Ida’s altruistic spirit persisted. Today, she channels her impressive repertoire towards shaping the lives of new generations of youth, particularly those less fortunate.

At the heart of Ida’s mission is her profound “Big Why” – a commitment to caring for people, especially children facing adversity. What makes her stand out is her unwavering consistency in volunteerism, her ability to connect with even the most challenging of individuals, and her use of LOVE as the secret ingredient in making a meaningful impact. Her willingness to help is boundless, and she exemplifies the true essence of a community influencer. As one of the 250 influencers on the island, Ida represents the epitome of Volunteerism and the Non-Formal Educational sector. Her story is an inspiration, a testament to the enduring power of compassion, dedication, and the belief that a single individual can make a significant difference in the lives of many.
Look at the list of the Influencers we have interviewed or reported on, up to now.