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Limburg | June 25, 2024

Natascha: 'Sports are an outlet'

Natascha is the mother of daughter Djelayza and son Djodecy. As a single parent with two growing children, it can be difficult to make ends meet. Thanks to a little support from the Limburg Youth Sports and Culture Fund, both children can participate in a sport of their choice. "You hope the children can still play sports with other children. I think the social connections they make this way are very important; it also contributes to their social and emotional development."

Djelayza has been enjoying hip-hop for two years now. Djodecy has been playing soccer for two months. "He wasn't sure what sport he wanted to play, so it took a while. In the end, he chose soccer." Natascha believes it's important for her children to be active. "I think team sports are very good for a child's development, as long as they're ready for it. This happened to my daughter early on, but my son struggled a bit. Playing sports gives them more social contact, which they really enjoy. It also gives them less time to focus on screens. Sports are a great outlet for them."

You don't have to do it alone

Natascha knows what it's like not being able to do everything. To ensure her children can participate in sports, she accepted support from the Limburg Youth Sports and Culture Fund. "I also thought I could do everything on my own. But life has become so expensive that you quickly cut back on sports and culture. The stumbling block isn't the membership fee, but usually the equipment you need for sports. All in all, the total cost is often the problem. Yet, sports are so important for children's development. So my advice to parents who can't afford to let their child(ren) participate in sports and culture: inquire—for example, at school—about the Youth Sports and Culture Fund, and don't let your child(ren) miss out on this opportunity!"