Yesterday, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands visited one of the winners of Appeltje van Oranje 2018 at the YETS Foundation in Schiedam.
The YETS Foundation is one of this year’s winners of the Appeltje van Oranje 2018. The organisation provides vulnerable young people, through sport and guidance with homework and eating habits, a good start in society.
They were given the award in June in Noordeinde Palace. Each year, the Oranje Fonds, of which King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima are joint patrons, awards social initiatives which serve as inspiration and successfully connect groups of people.
During her visit, Her Majesty kicked off her heels and was shown a basketball demonstration, which is one way the YETS Foundation helps give vulnerable young people a good start with sport.
Queen Máxima also heard from seven school children, between the ages of 13 and 16, explain how much ‘Coach Peter’ (Peter Ottens) had meant to them and how their lives had changed. Peter Ottens became emotional hearing the children talk of how he had helped them and began to cry.
Shortly after, the Queen was seen retrieving a tissue from her bag to blot her teary eyes. She also told Peter and the group of children, “Men can also cry.”
After watching the demonstration and hearing their stories, Máxima told those who took part, “I am grateful to you for your openness.” She also joined in on a “Family!” cheer at the end of her visit.
A woman in the crowd also wanted to present the Queen with a letter asking for help for her son, but security stepped in. A personal aide to Her Majesty accepted the message and told the woman that it would be passed on to Queen Máxima.
