‘My children think I am catching crooks at the Marechaussee’
Image: Nine IJf
Evelien Evers (39) is the single mother of Sarah (12), Gigi (9), Philou (almost 8) and Thibeau (6). She is a staff advisor at the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.
“I have been working for the Marechaussee for three years. Or rather: ‘mamachaussee’, as my children say. They think I am catching crooks and enthusiastically imitate it with their police costume and toy handcuffs.
In reality, I form the bridge between the operational unit and the party that provides the IT. Together with my colleagues, I make sure that the Marechaussee officers on the street and at the border have the right information to carry out their work properly. For example, I am investigating whether a self-service kiosk – a kiosk with which travelers can register themselves – can support border guards in the future. But also whether a robot dog could be useful in the field.
Making a difference
I’ve been in fashion and finance for years. Nice work, but I increasingly felt the need to make the world a safer place, to make a difference. It is not surprising that I chose Defense. My grandmother also wanted to become a soldier and my uncle was in the army commando corps. Still, some family members had difficulty with my choice, because I take care of my children on my own. In busy periods I also support my colleagues at Schiphol at passport control.
I have never doubted myself. Of course it’s tough – I work full-time, the children go to daycare or childminder and in the evenings I also study. But I love my job and have followed my heart: exactly what I want to pass on to my children. Sarah also wants to mean something to the world. But then with the environmental police, ‘because at the Defense you have to do so much sport’.
Also read – ‘People are surprised that I am a forest ranger, logical: I don’t go out without make-up’ >
Challenge
To stay fit, I do strength training every morning before the kids wake up and I go for a run in the afternoon. I also voluntarily train for a military pentathlon, in which I have to complete an obstacle course and swim in military uniform. I like to challenge myself physically, but it also makes me stronger mentally. When I have to climb over a six-foot wall on an obstacle course, I believe I can – and I succeed.
“If one of my children is sick, I no longer think: what now, but I know that I will find a solution”
Defense has made me realize that I have more to offer than I thought. As a mother I have grown as a result. If one of my children is ill, I no longer think: what now, but I know that I will find a solution one way or the other.”
This portrait is in Kek Mama 06-2022.
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