“When I first came to the Netherlands, I didn’t really see any difference, although everything was a bit better here,” says Lydia. At the age of 13 or 14, she had to come with her parents to the Netherlands because her father had found work here. “Everything was well organised and there were good roads. But Ghana was also good. In the Netherlands, I saw on TV very bad living conditions in Ghana. But I didn’t recognise that myself, I didn’t experience that there. So I really wondered if that was in Ghana.”
Ghanaian people and Ghanaian food
For about 15 years, she and her family lived in Kuik in Brabant. Her sister lived in Dordrecht and she visited her from time to time. Together, they even went to Rotterdam sometimes. A friend from Rotterdam later invited her to a party. That was the moment she became sold on Rotterdam. “That party was super fun. There were many Ghanaians there who also live in Rotterdam. Anyway, Rotterdam has so many people with different identities…. that’s just powerful. There are a lot of Ghanaians and African food here, so I was immediately sold.” But two days a week, she also eats Dutch. “Coincidentally, I like that. But I can also eat Chinese, it doesn’t matter to me.”
Rotterdam for everyone
Lydia saw an opportunity to move from Kuik. “There you don’t have Ghanaians living there or Ghanaian food. There everyone knows each other too, I don’t like that. I didn’t really feel at home there.” So she moved to Rotterdam with her sister. “It took some getting used to at first, but it became easier and easier to join in there. Because everyone participates there, Rotterdam is for everyone. You can also see that in many workplaces like offices and the police. Immigrants also work there. So they have more opportunities to get a good job here.”
Participate
She herself started her own shop for African clothing in Rotterdam Zuid: Classic Diamond. In traditional African clothing, she is therefore happy to share her tips for other newcomers to feel at home in the city as quickly as she does. “Join in! For instance, African people organise a Christmas dinner every year. Then you just have to join in! Everyone is welcome here.”