The Mission

Our mission is to foster diversity and create an inclusive environment where African students in Maastricht can feel at home. We aim to establish a space that celebrates and promotes African culture, offering services and experiences such as African cuisine, traditional materials, and hair braiding. By doing so, we seek not only to strengthen the sense of community among African students and residents but also to educate and engage people from different cultural backgrounds, creating opportunities for cross-cultural understanding and connection.

The Challenge

In Maastricht, there is a significant gap in the availability of culturally relevant spaces for people of African descent. Currently, there are few to no establishments where individuals can purchase African materials, enjoy authentic African cuisine, or access services such as traditional hair braiding. This lack of cultural spaces contributes to a sense of disconnection and challenges for African students and residents, who often struggle to feel at home and maintain their cultural identity. This creates the need for a accessible space that cater to the diverse needs and cultural experiences of the African community, promoting inclusivity and belonging within the city.

The solution

African community to gather, share, and celebrate their culture. This hub would include a dedicated braiding salon offering traditional hair braiding and other haircare services that are central to African culture. It would feature a restaurant or café serving authentic African cuisine, allowing individuals to enjoy familiar tastes from home while introducing these dishes to a wider audience. The hub would also have a store selling African essentials, such as traditional clothing, decorations, art, and other cultural items that resonate with African heritage. Additionally, the space would provide an area for hosting events, social gatherings, workshops, and cultural programs where the African community can come together, connect, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Beyond serving the needs of the African community, the hub would act as an educational platform for people from other backgrounds to learn about and engage with African culture, fostering inclusivity and cross-cultural connections in Maastricht.