Life should not fly but flutter

Ria (82) and Leo (86) Prins are the oldest volunteers at Clothing Bank Have and Hold. Residents of Amsterdam who do not have enough money to buy clothes are allowed to choose a completely new wardrobe twice a year. From shoes to headwear, from lingerie to elegant suits: everything is neatly hung and sorted on hangers in the store in Amsterdam North.Red is the company color. Ria haseWearing a charming red dress and Leo a red sweater. Leo rolls out the red carpet in the morning. The store is never crowded because people only come to Hebben en Houwen by personal appointment. Every customer receives a cup of coffee and styling advice from the staff. “They leave with such bags,” smiles Ria as she gestures widely towards all the clothes. “Two dresses, two pants, a jacket, and shoes. The entrance fee is 1 euro per person or 2 euros for families. With that money, Hebben en Houwen buys new underwear.”

Poverty alleviation

Leo: “I stole bread during the war. We knew the soup kitchen well. Eating sugar beets and beech nuts on the stove.” Ria and Leo know what poverty is, that’s why they understand their customers well. Also the Syrian refugees who come to Hebben en Houwen. Some customers are so grateful that they bring baklava.

In the past, Ria also raised money for a foundation that bought school books for children in Kenya. Being helpful to other people, that is the life motto of this special couple.

Married for 60 years without a fight

Their wedding photo is on a real postage stamp. In October 2019, they will have been together for 60 years. “Never had an argument,” says Leo. He was a chef on the steamboat at the KNSM and worked with Ria at the pastry shop Landzaat. After that, they ran a snack bar for 22 years. “Being among people, we enjoy that.” Together with the manager Karin Prins, one of their two daughters, Ria took care of the clothing on a boat for refugees in Zaandam. In 2017, that project came to an end. There were 20,000 kilos of clothing left. That marked the beginning of Hebben en Houwen.

“Hebben en Houwen runs on volunteers”

Ria runs the shoe department with love and sometimes helps out in the women’s clothing section. Leo is a doorman and enjoys chatting with customers. He uses a trolley to take items to the warehouse and loves going on the truck. The store is open on Wednesdays and Fridays. “But by Monday, I’m already looking forward to it,” says Ria. “Having a nice coffee together and helping people.”(text continues below the photos)

Hello!

Never been sick for a single day

The ‘Prinsjes’ are the first to arrive at the door every morning. “They have never been sick for a single day,” says chairman Zwaan van Dam, “Without these spirited volunteers, we can’t make it.” Ria reflects a bit on their age: “We are now in the danger zone.” Leo laughs: “Life shouldn’t fly, but flutter. Otherwise, it goes by too quickly.”Interview: Thecla Groot KoerkampPhotos: Vincent van Kleef

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