Proudly Amersfoorter

I am Amersfoorter and I am very proud! 

I came to live in Amersfoort on 23 May 2008. No one knew who I was, neither my talent nor HIV. My first important target was to integrate in Amersfoort society which meant learning the Dutch language and culture as soon as possible. In 2 years I was done, participated in the ceremony, shook hands with Mayor Lucas Bolsius and with that handshake I became a Dutch citizen. 

Why did I come to love Amersfoort? It is a city that is known for embracing everyone and giving opportunity to Amersfoorters, whether original or joining later on, to grow into the society. I am very proud to be an Amersfoorter and now, 10 years later, to belong to a group of inspiring people for my town Amersfoort. 

I was one of the 10 inspiring people nominated for Amersfoorter of the 2018 election organised by het Algemeen Dagblad. This event showed once again how great Amersfoort is to have so many initiatives by people who give their energy to our society. My beautiful Amersfoort has 160.000 people out of which 400 people were nominated and 10 selected for this special event. And I was one of them. I am so proud to be recognised as one of the ten most inspiring people in Amersfoort. Doing something good for my community by sharing my music and HIV/ AIDS education, and being recognised as a role model in fighting stigma gave me this special nomination. Charming Amersfoort  is my town and I am grateful for it, and I want to make sure Amersfoort remains a welcoming and friendly town without any discrimination. 

My husband and kids, neighbour Rita, my best friend Elise and some more friends came to stand by me yesterday. A very special moment for me was when I shook hands with Mayor Bolsius again. It shows what can be achieved in 10 years if only given a chance here in the Netherlands and especially in my Amersfoort. Thanks to his handshake I am now able to show him how grateful I am and that his faith in new Amersfoorter bears its fruits. He was very happy and proud to see my achievements as an active and passionate Amersfoorter over these past 10 years. He definitely inspires me to do even better and more and has already inspired another rising star, my 10 year old son Akira Becks 

It’s an honour to have made it to this select group of inspiring Amersfoorters who all showed that you can make that change if you fight hard for it. Thank you AD Amersfoort to make this possible and all the people that have supported and voted for me. It shows that hard work always pays. Stay open to learn more about HIV and Let’s fight stigma together, and keep on supporting people living with HIV in Amersfoort and the world. 

Peace, 

Eliane