Magdalena Garczyńska

Mechanical engineer Magdalena's journey to Tervuren began when she was expecting her first child. Over the past 15 years, she has witnessed the Tervuren community grow by almost 10%.

"It's the little gradual changes that our town could make which would significantly improve quality of life. Integration, fostering local communities, and ensuring high-quality care and welfare for the young, elderly, and those in need of assistance. Those are things I want to see more of in Tervuren," she says.

"Integration is crucial, but we should not forget about helping the elderly, and those without strong family connections, to stay engaged," she adds.

Balancing a full-time job and caring for three children is challenging for anyone. "And as a mother of both young and older children, I see the need for more support here. When I came in 2009, there were only two playgrounds. Not much has changed since then," Magdalena says. "Holiday activities, too, are limited, with few available spaces. There need to be more options for teenagers and pre-school children," she says.

Encouraging everyone to contribute in the community is another priority for Magdalena. "Dutch is crucial for children at school and for friends. But getting places at Dutch-speaking activities, especially during the summer, remains challenging," she explains.

Engineer, project manager, and public relations expert, Magdalena also worked for a bank in Tervuren during the challenging Covid lockdowns. "At work, we get used to listening, solving problems, taking decisions together without thinking about where you're from. That same ethos needs to guide the town council," she says.