A sex paradise under God's eyes

If God would come to earth to judge people, the citizens of Amsterdam would probably be the first ones to be sent to burn in the hell’s fire. Only in Amsterdam it is possible to see three sins interacting in a peaceful environment, with religion.

In The Red Light District, located in the heart of the oldest part of Amsterdam, marijuana, alcohol and prostitution can be enjoyed freely over the canals, just next to the old church, recreating the old Babylon cited in the Bible.

‘Having a woman standing on a window shop in few clothes, just next to a church doesn’t shock anyone,’ Victoria, an Australian living in Amsterdam, explained to me.
She didn’t probably notice that I was shocked.

In my country Mozambique, prostitution is not legalized. However, the hypocrisy of our politicians has allowed a small version of the Red Light Street called Rua de Bagamoio, to develop down town in the capital Maputo.

For many years I was convinced that Rua de Bagmaoyo was the top of prostitution. That was until I visited Riparbaam in the German city of Hamburg back in 2006. Now, both Rua de Bagamoyo in Maputo and Riparbaam in Hamburg cannot be compared to its version in Amsterdam.

Back home I would never feel comfortable visiting prostitution centre. In Amsterdam, the fact that two enormous churches are just in the middle of what in Mozambique we would call a ‘satanic place’, gives me total freedom to move around the sex shops.

After all, if even God is there why shouldn’t I? And yes, I bought myself a sex toy!!!

The reality of eldery in Holland: Zandzee Social Centre, a second home...

By Zenaida & Harry

Hilversum - “I am very happy in the Zandzee centre…here, everyday is like a new day, which I try to make a good day. I don’t know if all of the people living here enjoy this place as much as I do, but I hope they’ll start looking at the positive things of life,” says J. Bleeker, an old lady living at the Zandzee Social Centre.

Ms. Bleeker, 96, is one of more than 80 elderly people living at the Zandzee Social Centre located west of the Bussum-Zuid train station.


Aging population
According to official source, in the Netherlands, about 14% of the population is 65 years or older. This percentage is expected to increase to 19% by 2020 and to 25% by 2030.

The awareness that the population is aging and with more cases of loneliness and depression among the elderly, has forced the Dutch government to build large full-service housing for senior people.

In 2000, there were about 600 of these buildings. The Zandzee Social Centre is one example.

“The Zandzee centre has been operating for more than 30 years now and has a daily staff of five or six who ensure that our clients feel the atmosphere of a real home,” says Theo Leavastro, one of the professionals responsible for the social centre.

Offering independence
The Zandzee Social Centre combines a range of 24 hour care facilities with 80 individual apartments divided into kitchen, living room and a toilet totally equiped for the elderly and disable people amongst them.

“Our main objective is for them [the elderly] to be able to still manage their affairs as if they were in their own homes…they should be able to do things on their own. By doing so, we are giving them independence,” said Leavastro.

“I never feel lonely,” a smiling Ms Bleeker, who looks great for her age, tells us. “When I need help I just ask the people here, and I also get attention from my children who come to visit me as often as they can.”

Recovering Ms Bleeker
Ms. Bleeker was married for 50 years and lost her husband 19 years ago. She has daughters of 67 and 65, both are about to retire. She started living in the centre about five years ago after she had fallen several times and after losing stability due to weakness of her muscles.

After years living in the centre, Ms Bleeker is now able, with the help of the Zandzee Social Centre care team, to regain her stability and is now able to do most things by herself.

“When I wake up in the morning, I wash my myself and sometimes my clothes, eat my breakfast, clean my room and take care of my flowers…I love flowers,” says Ms Bleeker who has spread on her windowsill different types of flowers.

“I later go out for a walk. I listen to music too. I like classic music,” says Ms. Bleeker while putting a Beethoven CD in her player, which rests left to a 21” television on a low table.

“In The Netherlands, things were not always like this. My parents stayed with us (their children) until they died. They did not have to live in a social centre,” stresses Ms Bleeker. “But everything has changed now. Life is not simple anymore, but we have to adapt ourselves to these changes.”