As Honorary President of Unicef Belgium, Queen Mathilde made a visit to Costa Rica from 9 February to 12 February 2025.
Mathilde makes a field visit every two years, to witness local UNICEF projects and to get into contact with children, young people, Unicef staff and structural partners.
In the past she's made Unicef visits to Vietnam, Kenya (with Princess Elisabeth), Laos, Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Senegal, Tanzania and Niger.
Sunday 9 February 2025
Arrival at San José airport in Costa Rica. Mathilde took a regular KLM flight from Schiphol to San José, she got on board last and exited the plane first, so most of the passengers didn't even notice her! On this trip she's accompanied by her advisor, a palace spokesperson, bodyguards and a hairdresser.
Tuesday 11 February 2025Arrival at San José airport in Costa Rica. Mathilde took a regular KLM flight from Schiphol to San José, she got on board last and exited the plane first, so most of the passengers didn't even notice her! On this trip she's accompanied by her advisor, a palace spokesperson, bodyguards and a hairdresser.
With Belgian Ambassador to Costa Rica, Daniel Bertrand.
Monday 10 February 2025
Queen Mathilde met President Rodrigo Chaves and his wife, Latvian born first lady Signe Zeikate at the presidential palace.
More than 10,000 seasonal workers from Panama come to Costa Rica every year to work in the coffee harvest. The Queen visited Casa de la Alegría on a plantation in Desamparados, near San José. Private and public partners, including UNICEF, work together in more than 40 Casas de la Alegría in Costa Rica to provide care, food and education for the children of these workers.
UNICEF is helping the Costa Rican government to establish childcare facilities, particularly in vulnerable neighbourhoods. This has a huge impact on the lives of mothers, allowing them to work full-time and be economically independent. The Queen visited one of these child care centers in the Tirrases district of San José.
At Lloverá Foundation in San José who welcome migrant families with minor children with the help of Unicef. Migrants receive shelter, psychosocial support and help with their integration into Costa Rican society. The Queen spoke to families and the staff of the centre.
video: https://vrtnws.be/p.kMYYxZGqW1D
Wednesday 12 February 2025
Wednesday 12 February 2025
The third and final day of the UNICEF visit to Costa Rica focused on the Sustainable Development Goals. In the town Mora UNICEF promotes a healthy diet, as a third of all Costa Rican children suffers from obesity. The Queen attended a workshop with physical exercises.
At the campus of the University for Peace, Mathilde talked with students about climate change.
Then there was a visit to the Costa Rican Police that organizes sports and cultural activities for children and families from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to promote discipline, teamwork and leadership.
As is usual during these humanitarian missions, Mathilde allowed reporters to interview her at the end of the journey.
She told them how meeting migrant families has left a strong impression on her: "I think they must have experienced such traumatizing things on their way here. The children saw dead bodies lying by the side of the road. That's just indescribable. They're facing these traumas now. And still they're smiling, they keep the faith in a better future, even if they went through horrible things. That really stays with me."
She told them how meeting migrant families has left a strong impression on her: "I think they must have experienced such traumatizing things on their way here. The children saw dead bodies lying by the side of the road. That's just indescribable. They're facing these traumas now. And still they're smiling, they keep the faith in a better future, even if they went through horrible things. That really stays with me."
