Just one short year ago, we three embarked on this “backyard” community project. Since then, we have kept busy connecting with more and more like-minded folks, and happily, increasing the number of Dignity Kits we are able to distribute. We’ve been able to scale up thanks to your generous support, whether as a donation of artwork for our fundraiser auction, as supplies for our Dignity Kits, as a financial contribution, or by pitching in as volunteers. 

We have also received generous institutional support, which is especially crucial given this year’s pandemic. The upcoming recession will touch us all, but, as always, it has already hit vulnerable communities, and will affect them the most. The overlapping crises also put the survival of small, non-profit groups like ours at risk. All this support means that despite the many unexpected and significant challenges in 2020, we have much to be thankful for, and see many new directions to take in the coming year. 

Our optimism is partly due to having the good fortune of a bit more headspace: we’ve been able to move the boxes of Dignity Kits supplies out of the hallways and living rooms of our homes…and into our very own Neighborhood Feminists space in Amsterdam Zuid-Oost! Located at Remmerdenplein 100 in a former firehouse (aka ‘Kazerne’), our new space gives us room for storing and assembling our Dignity Kits, but also access to shared spaces, for larger events. We haven’t met all our new Kazerne neighbors yet, but the space next to ours is home base for the Bijlmer hip hop collective SMIB. Creativity and good vibes are definitely in the air! 

We would like to share our Neighborhood Feminists space with like-minded local organisers. Do you have a plan, but lack the dedicated space to develop your idea? (While we don’t intend to charge usage fees, we would like to build relationships of mutual aid, so if this sounds intriguing, drop us a line so we can explore what’s possible.) 

The Neighborhood Feminists space is just steps from Reigersbos Station, so we’re accessible with public transport (bus, train and metro), even if you don’t live in Zuid-Oost.

All in all, a lot remains unclear in 2020, but we’re doing our best to roll with the plot twists, while continuing to take all possible health precautions, which means we’re deferring our celebration. But that’s no reason not to enjoy some cake now… If you feel like some celebratory cake too, here’s an easy favorite recipe for French cake (speckled with chocolate). Send us a pic if you try it out, so we can spread the joy and deliciousness on our socials!

Gâteau de Metz (Metz Cake)
Serves 8-10.

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 heaped cup (or 225 g) fine granulated sugar
  • 3/4 scant cup (or 125 g) dark chocolate
  • 1 1/4 cup (or 125 g) flour
  • 3/4 heaped cup (or 2 dl/200 g) crème fraîche
  • 1/3 cup (or 50 g) confectioner’s/powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 190°C. Grease and flour a 9 inch (22 cm) round pan.  

Finely grate the dark chocolate (if the shavings aren’t fine enough, they will settle to the bottom in a bit of a heavy clump). Beat the eggs and fine sugar for 10 minutes using a wooden spoon, or use an electric mixer for 5 minutes if you have one. Add the grated chocolate, flour, and crème fraîche, beating well after each addition. 

Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely, then dust with confectioner’s sugar.