Ode to Mildred del Prado | Living as a learning process

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In the diverse city of Amsterdam there is a woman whose life and work are steeped in a rich multiculturalism, love of care and indestructible strength. This is the story of a woman who has found her way in healthcare and who passes on her life lessons to the coming generations, even after her retirement. Her name is Mildred del Prado, a Surinamese woman who has lived in the Netherlands for more than 45 years and has allowed her roots to grow in different cultures, especially in Amsterdam.

Mildred's journey to the heart of healthcare began in Suriname, where she started her career as a young woman in the interior, where she worked with various indigenous groups and Saramaccan communities. She then worked for a time in Curaçao. Her passion for care and helping others was clear from an early age. Mildred recalled: “I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in the healthcare sector to assist people, to provide loving care and nursing.”

The move to the Netherlands in 1980 was a new step in her career. Here she expanded her knowledge by following specialized courses in oncology, CCU, dialysis and neonatology, and began her work at the AMC hospital in Amsterdam. Her many years of experience in healthcare have not only made her an expert, but have also given her the opportunity to train and supervise others, such as fifth-year interns. It was important to her to teach them the correct way to interact with patients, especially in sensitive situations, such as when performing a gynecological examination. “If you talk to the patient calmly, it will help them relax and the examination can be completed pleasantly,” she said.

Amsterdam as Home
 

After her long career in healthcare, Mildred quickly felt at home in Amsterdam. The city, known for its diversity, offered her a place where she could develop herself and use her experiences as a woman with a multicultural background. “For me, Amsterdam has always been a place that embraces diversity. Multiculturalism has always been a source of wealth for me, and I have not only brought that from Surinam, but also from Curaçao and all the other countries I have come into contact with.”

Mildred's work in Amsterdam, especially in the Bijlmer, was peppered with the challenge of embracing different cultures. In the 1980s, she helped set up the multiculturalism committee and learned a lot from interacting with people from different parts of the world, such as Moroccans, Turks and Ghanaians. “It was heaven on Earth to work with so many different nationalities. It enriched my life so much.” She emphasizes that her experiences only made her stronger and shaped her personality: “I am a citizen of the world. I cannot be pigeonholed. I was raised multicultural, and that has shaped me.”

Positivity as a strength

Like any woman, Mildred has also faced challenges in her life, but she has always held on to her own strength and positivity. She indicates that the balance between yin and yang is always present in her life and that it is important not to succumb to negativity. “In life you always have challenges, but you have to be able to maneuver. If it is negative, I try to turn it into positivity, and that is my strength.”
 

This attitude has been important not only in her work, but also in her daily life. Mildred strongly believes in the power of communication and connection, something she applies daily in her dealings with others. She said, “It's wonderful to see how people connect with each other. Communication is the key, and I always try to keep the conversation going, with openness and without prejudice.”

Mildred's experience and her attitude to life are an inspiration to other women who face similar challenges on a daily basis. Her positive approach to life, her work and her ability to connect with others are examples to many. “I bring something to every woman I meet and I learn something from them. Life is a daily learning process, and I am never too old to learn,” she says with a smile.

She also emphasizes the role of women in her culture and in society. ”Women are almost always on their own. I have always seen that women alone bear the responsibility for raising the children, and they bear so much more besides. It is hard, but women can handle so much, and if you give them the right tools, they can achieve anything.” Mildred is especially proud of her mother, who always kept her and her siblings together, even until her death at the age of 97. ”My mother sowed the seed of love among us, and that should always prevail above all else.”

Gratitude
 

Mildred ends the interview with a message of gratitude for everything she has experienced and learned. “I am so grateful to be here and to be able to contribute. It is a great feeling to know that I am making a difference in the lives of others.” Her experience in Amsterdam, her career in healthcare and her personal journey make her an example to many.
 

Mildred del Prado is a woman who, through her work, wisdom and love for others, has made an undeniable impact on the Amsterdam community. Her attitude towards life, which revolves around positivity, multiculturalism and the power of connection, continues to inspire women from all walks of life.