Neighborhood gives “Chompi” a new house

April 14, 2009 10:14 AM

The law firm VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne recently established the Foundation “Pro Bono VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne”. This foundation has the object, inter alia, to perform pro bono legal activities for less fortunate individuals and non-profit foundations, starting small enterprises and small businesses. Furthermore, one of their objects is the development and/or promotion of science, education, social education, and culture.

The foundation Pro Bono VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne presented its first project yesterday. Johanna Cratsz, better known by the neighbors of Julianaplein and Penstraat as “Chompi”, lived in a house right behind the law firm for twenty years and sold sandwiches and meals at lunch time to the people living and working in the neighborhood. However, her lease was terminated by the landlord because he said he needed the house himself. Consequently, Chompi no longer had a house, and temporarily moved in with her daughter, who lives elsewhere. So she had to leave her familiar living and working environment.

At the initiative of architect Anko van der Woude of IMD and in cooperation with the neighbors at Julianaplein, where VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne is domiciled, the garage belonging to the office building of the law firm was altered into a nice new house for Chompi. Chompi, who is 74 years old, can now return to her old spot where she can sell sandwiches and meals again. The co-sponsors of the project are IMD Design, STvB Lawyers, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and “Stichting Monumentenzorg Curaçao” (Foundation Preservation Historic Buildings Curaçao). The contractor of the project is Mantenshon of Axel de Brabander.

After the key of the building was officially handed to Chompi by managing partner Frank Kunneman, a social gathering took place for the contractor, all sponsors of the project, and of course Chompi herself and her relatives.

(Source: National newspaper “Antilliaans Dagblad”)

April 4, 2009