(Article originally published in Dutch by de Telegraaf  / Vrouw, april 2025)

Dream Place

Brazil – One-way Ticket Abroad

In 2010, Diana Nijboer (60) and her husband moved to Brazil, where she helps children from the favelas through her foundation, EduMais.

DIANA NIJBOER (60)
Lived in: Brabant (Netherlands)
Emigrated to: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Misses: “My family and friends. And the beautiful skies over the polder with those lovely white clouds—especially just after a frost. You don’t see that here.”
Least liked: “People throw rubbish on the streets here. In the Netherlands, everyone helps keep the city clean.”
Best thing: “People are so kind and warm. They really make time for you.”

“I have never felt unsafe here.”

The decision

“My husband Gerard is an athletics coach and was offered a job in Brazil. We’re both adventurous and grabbed the chance with both hands. My husband’s project ended after five years, but I didn’t want to leave Rio yet and had meanwhile started a foundation because I was so moved by the circumstances of children in the favelas. Gerard now works and lives all over the world. We both do what we enjoy and, even though we don’t see each other every day anymore, we have a good relationship. Several times a year we spend a number of weeks together, and we talk on the phone every day.”

The surroundings

“We have an apartment in Copacabana, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. When I look out my window, I see our courtyard filled with tall trees. You often find little monkeys in them, but you can also spot toucans and beautiful hummingbirds. In this green city, the animals live together with us, and we with them.”

My work

“Children from the favelas barely learn to read and write and therefore sometimes end up on the wrong path. That’s why in 2016 I founded the education foundation EduMais. Besides regular subjects, we also teach social and emotional skills. Every workday is different. I help the children, guide the coordinators, and recruit sponsors. A former student recently received a scholarship to study in Sydney. That it worked out is just wonderful. The children are so talented, happy, and grateful. There is a big prejudice about favelas, but I have never felt unsafe walking there.”

Free time

“Then I meet up with my friends—from the Netherlands, Brazil, and other countries. I also love hiking in the mountains, or I go to the beach, out to eat, or take photos. When Gerard is here, we try to enjoy each other as much as possible. In the evenings, for example, we like to sit on the wide beach of Leme together and watch the beautiful sunset at the Arpoador rocks between Copacabana and Ipanema.”

Secret spot

“Rio is a city of extremes: rich and poor, safe and unsafe, loving and malicious—everything lives together here. That’s why I find it such a fantastic place! Definitely go to Pedra da Tartaruga in Pedra Branca State Park. It’s not an easy hike, but the magnificent view is more than worth it.”