Leila founded the Mother Network for parents of children with disabilities: “We connect and build bridges”

In 2008, Leila Badaou started the Mother Network Foundation in Amsterdam. It was born out of the need to provide support to mothers of children with disabilities in Amsterdam Nieuw-West and to build bridges between different cultures. The network is Leila’s great pride: “We have a fantastic team with many experienced volunteers. Together, we help mothers recognize and use their own strength.”Leila came up with the idea for the Mother Network when she was working for the child day center (KDC). She ended up there through her sister; who was doing an internship there. They were looking for group supervisors for the day care. “I went for an interview and was immediately hired,” Leila says. “At the KDC, I worked for years as a group supervisor for children with intellectual disabilities. Very beautiful and rewarding work. However, during my work there, I encountered certain things. For example, there was a lot of misunderstanding about the cultural differences of the families who came to us. I was increasingly asked for advice or help in bridging cultural differences; within the KDC itself but also during home visits.”

Care consultant

Because Leila’s advisory role was becoming more extensive, she decided to pursue training to become a care consultant. After completing the training, a new position was created within the organization so that Leila could work as a care consultant. “It was very nice because this way we could expand our care from just the child to the child with the family around them. Parents often need help caring for their child with a disability and balancing attention with the rest of the family.”

Contact and Connection

Through all the contacts she had with parents, she noticed that there was a need for more contact between and support for mothers. “I wanted to help these mothers to empower themselves,” Leila explains. “I was looking for a way to bring them together so they can share their stories with each other. This way, they can find recognition, help, and a listening ear from each other. Outside of official organizations, also during weekends or evenings. This is how the idea for the Mother Network was born. I set up the network next to my regular job as a volunteer at the time, and over the years, we have been able to expand and professionalize it further.”

Further develop

The Mother Network is still developing every day. “We have many plans,” Leila says enthusiastically. “For example, we want to start artistic activities that help stimulate children’s sensory development. We completely focus on the child in these activities: what can they do and what do they need? Parents also play a role in this, for example, we let them play with the child. By being engaged together in this way, parents also discover another side of their child, and that is very beautiful to see.”

Volunteer work: do it!

For a long time, the hours Leila spent on the Mother Network were voluntary. “I put a lot of free time into it when I was still working at the KDC,” she says. “Now my work for the Mother Network is my full-time job. And more than that! My whole heart is in this organization. The work never really stops because I have various roles and responsibilities. That can be challenging, but I am also incredibly grateful for it. Volunteering has helped me get to know myself better and has allowed me to develop in a new field. For anyone considering doing volunteer work, I say: go for it! It gives you the opportunity and freedom to walk your own path and discover a new side of yourself.”

Would you like to get involved as a volunteer at the Mother Network? Then contact Leila Badaou viainfo@moedernetwerk.nlWould you rather do other volunteer work in Nieuw-West? Then contact Jelle Guijt from Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam viaj.guijt@vca.nuor phone number 06-34030720. Or visitwww.vca.nu!

Text: VCA

Photography: Kitty de Jong