Niek helps everywhere
Sometimes we come across a volunteer who has helped almost every organization in Rotterdam! Niek is such a super volunteer. So Niek, tell me: what have you done?
“I gave workshops to asylum seekers and status holders. This concerned integration courses, but also how to deal with finances, rules of life and cultural differences in the Netherlands. I also organized outings such as to the Pancake Boat. In addition, I was a buddy of a Pakistani family. I did the latter for a year, until corona intervened.
At DOCK and Buurtwerk I was involved in debt counseling. I helped people with payment arrears on payment plans. But you could also contact me if you had problems applying for a job or applying for a DigiD. Through the PKN pastoral care in Het Oude Noorden and Crooswijk I still help people who are underprivileged on the labor market.
In everything I do I want to connect people
"On the one hand, it's about learning how to apply for a job, such as writing a motivation letter and drawing up a CV. On the other hand, it's also about helping people on the digital road so that they can surf for vacancies. In everything I do, I want people to interact with each other. I have also visited and received people who are in isolation because they no longer dare to go outside or have no contact with family anymore. That was via MDRplus, Social Services Rijnmond: they train and provide network coaches."
Now you may think that this is already a lot, but Niek's list is far from over:
“I have also taught people who are digitally disabled, for example via Seniorweb in Capelle aan den IJssel. You often see that the elderly receive a tablet from their children or grandchildren. I then helped them learn to use it. Neighborhood mediation for people who have a fight, coordination of daytime activities for volunteers at the Lelie Zorggroep ... And the Zonnebloem Foundation ! They organize holidays and outings for the elderly and people with a physical disability. There I went on holiday as a wheelchair attendant, to Apenheul, Blijdorp, Keukenhof, by boat on the Rhine… You name it.
Silent disco in the middle of the park is actually the highlight
If I had to choose, I might enjoy helping out at events the most. I have worked for, for example, the Pleinbios, the Rotterdamse Dakendagen and the Bluegrass Festival. I'm a big music lover myself and it's always fun. The Pleinbios, for example, had a volunteer drink at 1 am after the film has ended and everything has been cleaned up. A silent disco in the middle of the park, that is actually one of those highlights, which I remember fondly. I would recommend everyone to register with the De Loodsen foundation if hopefully we can organize events again from 2021.
The great thing about volunteering is that you can do what you like. In my work I was at the help desk: then you help with the technical aspect, but you do not see the person behind the problem. In my volunteer work I build a bond with people. I am a connector, a bridge builder and I like to help people with fewer opportunities.”
Photography by Eveline Gerritsen
Text written by Evita Lammes
Mary stimulates language
Mary stimulates language During my retirement I not only wanted to go on nice trips and work in the garden, but also to make a meaningful contribution to society. Because I have been an education counselor, coordinating and supervising language volunteers at the Taalpunt of the Buurtwerk group suits me perfectly. Is it fun and do they know what to do? We normally have fifteen groups at the Taalpunt and many volunteers who teach one-on-one. Together with two other volunteers I handle the registrations. In a short introductory meeting we determine what language level someone has and we fill in a form with their details. That sounds easy, but is sometimes quite difficult if you don't speak each other's language. In addition, it is important to find out how someone works and what kind of training they have already completed, for example. Then I try to make a good match with a volunteer or a group. If there's no click, it won't work. During the lessons I supervise the volunteers: is it fun together and do they know what to do? Finally, I provide a well-stocked cupboard with teaching materials, everything neatly organized by subject and level. Then you can immediately choose what suits the situation! I get to know other cultures and such positive people! Language is so very important. If you can't read well, you really can't participate well. There are many people who really want to master Dutch, but that is not easy if you read Arabic script, for example. What I really like is that I meet and meet so many people in the neighbourhood. I get to know other cultures and such positive people! Normally we have 15 group lessons and a lot of Language Buddies, but now we can only offer help to a few groups with five students. As soon as possible, we will register people as participants at the Taalpunt again and our 100 loyal volunteers are ready to teach people the language. Photography by Eveline Gerritsen Text written by Evita Lammes Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward
Read the story