Celebrating the Legacy of Mi Oso Es Mi Kas
XHOSA, the Amsterdam City Archives and Patta unite to Honor Women’s Initiative: Mi Oso Es Mi Kas.
In 1986, Mrs. Elfriede Sinester founded the Mi Oso Es Mi Kas Foundation, marking an important moment in Dutch history as the first center dedicated to supporting girls and teenage mothers in Amsterdam South-East. What began as a safe haven for Surinamese and Antillean young women in the Bijlmer quickly evolved into a cross-cultural organization that empowered women from diverse ethnic backgrounds through education, housing, guidance, personal development, and parenting support.
To honor this initiative, Xhosa - in collaboration with the Amsterdam City Archives and Patta - is proud to announce the opening of an exhibition and documentary dedicated to the legacy of Mi Oso Es Mi Kas.
The foundation, which closed its doors in 2007, was instrumental in addressing the needs of teenage mothers in the Bijlmer, offering them opportunities to build brighter futures. Mi Oso Es Mi Kas also left a cultural mark, hosting annual festivals, organizing international exchange programs, and establishing a celebrated African ballet dance group. Among its many accomplishments, the foundation launched the first female Kawina band, which proudly bears its name.
We invite you to join us in celebrating this legacy at the opening of the exhibition and documentary on Friday, February 7, 2025. Discover the untold stories of Mi Oso Es Mi Kas, a foundation that redefined the landscape of social and cultural support for women of color in the Netherlands.
As a brand rooted in community, culture and leadership, Patta is proud to support this initiative, recognizing the impact of Mi Oso Es Mi Kas on countless lives. Join us on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 18:30 at Vijzelstraat 32, 1017 HL Amsterdam. You can register now here. If you can't make it at the opening, the exhibition is open till June 15, 2025 and the documentary will be playing at the Amsterdam Stadsarchief for a month - entrance is free.
