1. Who are you, and what gives you energy in your work? What makes you proud?
I’m Monique, and I’m the facility manager at Doctors Without Borders. My job revolves around one core mission: making sure everyone in the office can do their work well. That includes everything from practical necessities — electricity, reception, cleaning, lunch, working coffee machines — to safety, furniture, and essentially everything you see and touch in the building.
I get energy from seeing things run smoothly and from colleagues who are genuinely happy with the facilities we provide. I have tremendous respect for the people who carry out the fieldwork. As a facility manager, my role is supportive by nature, but I can’t imagine offering this support anywhere else than here at Doctors Without Borders.
I’m also proud of our recent major renovation. We reused many materials and focused on sustainability. Although the construction period was challenging for our neighbours, the end result is something we’re very proud of.
2. What might local residents not know about you, but would actually enjoy hearing?
Many people don’t know that there is a monument in Wertheimpark dedicated to our colleagues who lost their lives in the field. It’s a meaningful place for us — an anchor in the neighbourhood.
Around 400 people work in this office. All our work is funded entirely by donations — we do not receive government subsidies. Especially during this time of year, we see how generous and engaged people are. Anyone who wishes to support us can do so via doctorswithoutborders.org.
Before our renovation, we researched the history of the Plantage neighbourhood. In the 17th century, medicinal herbs were grown here. That connection inspired the pattern in our new office carpet — a subtle nod to the past.
3. What is your hidden gem in the Plantage neighbourhood?
The Groote Museum in ARTIS. Especially the audio installation where you can switch the sounds of the city — trams, rolling suitcases, bicycles — on and off until you hear only birdsong. It’s beautifully done.
4. Which remarkable Amsterdammer would you like to meet there, and why?
I’d love to meet Samuel Sarphati — a physician, philanthropist, and someone with strong ideas about healthy living in Amsterdam. I wonder what he would think of today’s urban soundscape. His city must have sounded completely different. I’d love to talk with him about that.
5. A question from Xandra at “Huis van de Tijd”:
“Your work spans the entire world, often in crisis and conflict zones. What does it mean for you to be based in the Plantage neighbourhood? Does this green, peaceful area help you — and colleagues returning from intense missions — to catch your breath? And what do you draw from this neighbourhood for your global work?”
Those are really three questions in one. We indeed work mainly in conflict zones, and although no crisis is the same, the impact on healthcare is always enormous. It makes us acutely aware of the history of the place from where we now coordinate our projects.
On a practical level, colleagues regularly make use of the cafés and restaurants in the neighbourhood — we always have much to talk about. On quieter days, people often take a walk along ARTIS when the weather is nice. And just this week, we had a wonderful team outing in the Hortus, including a tour of the renewed greenhouse.
We appreciate that our office is centrally located and easy to reach, yet situated in a quiet, green neighbourhood. That combination absolutely helps us breathe a little easier.
6. Who would you like to pass the baton to, and what question would you like to ask them?
I’m passing the baton to Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
My question for them is:
“Which performance should we absolutely see in 2026?”