about mawaheb

It was my dream to give young adults with special needs a voice, a voice of their own, independent, and strong. I wanted their voices to be heard, listened to and accepted by everyone in our society. Working towards equality for all is a goal I will never stop working towards.

Mawaheb is an art studio for the ‘Determined Ones’, those with special needs who deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their talents. We create an environment where our students are motivated and challenged to become the best they can possibly be. Through the medium of art, they can explore the world and themselves, to become independent, accepted and integrated members of our society.

My strongly held belief is that everyone has the absolute right to be treated with dignity and respect. I believe that every individual has talent and with the right encouragement and support they can fulfil their potential to become active and creative citizens. At Mawaheb, we accept and celebrate the differences of all our students, we embrace and support them.

After a decade of inspiring people, building a community, and helping change so many lives, we have moved to a brand-new facility in Al Quoz and opened a community café next-door to the Mawaheb studio. A place where we are bringing people from all walks of life together, to inspire and get inspired. It is a place where you will be accepted the way you are. I hope that people will make it their home.

Wemmy de Maaker, Director

As an art teacher I would like to engage with students through creativity and imagination applied to painting, sculpture and ceramics. I firmly believe that there is no better form of expression for the human being than art, expressed in all its forms and applications. In this sense, art becomes a tool for interaction with the outside world, and creates a bridge that connects and unites people, People of Determination and others, reducing prejudices and promoting social inclusion. Each student in Mawaheb should feel free to experiment with the arts and matter, because exploring the material world brings us closer and closer to the authentic being that is reflected in it.

My greatest aspiration at Mawaheb is to transmit love for art, but first of all love for oneself, acceptance and courage to face the many challenges that life gives us.

Clizia Zepparelli, Art Instructor

Throughout my life it has always been important for me supporting others to discover their unique and valuable strengths so that they can reach their goals and flourish wherever life takes them.

Mawaheb is a warm, safe, and colorful place that provides an ideal environment for people of determination to explore their abilities, talents, and interests through art, music, and loving kindness.

As a coach, I provide support, guidance, and encouragement according to each student’s needs and goals. I also help students to maintain a positive outlook on life and to view their differences as opportunities.

Connection, inclusion, and respect have been my core values as a job consultant and for working with children in special care and people of determination. Through these values, I also aim to inspire and to be inspired by my students.

Together at Mawaheb, we live and love life to the fullest!

Jenny Hooff, Life Skills Instructor

During my time as a volunteer from 2017 till 2019, it was amazing to see how I learned from and was inspired by the students at Mawaheb. It is truly the place where we strive together for an inclusive community.

Being a part of the Mawaheb team now, I dream of a time when we no longer talk about inclusion, diversity and equality and all people have the same opportunities without limitations. I look forward to a time when everyone is respected for who and how they are, and we embrace differences and no longer see them as different.

As the business & product developer at our non-profit organisation I encourage everyone to be a part of our mission in any way they can. I’m responsible for connecting with organisations for CSR activities, workshops, other events and coordinating the development of innovative and compelling new products with the beautiful art of our artist.

Nelleke de Heer, Business & Product Developer