“The thing I like most is the personal appreciation I am receiving now”

Who are you?“I am Paul Jansink, 51 years old, born and raised in the Brabant village of Teteringen, and moved to Amsterdam-Noord for love. I have been living here since 2005 and I am enjoying it.”What do you do in your daily life?“I have worked in the technical industry for many years. First as a service engineer and then at a company that molds plastic car parts, such as dashboards, bumpers, and spoilers. I have traveled all over the world for this. But due to the extensive and heavy work, I eventually ended up on disability benefits. Following a tip from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), I started doing volunteer work. First at the Repair Café at Zonneplein and now at the Convoi Exceptionnel Foundation.”What do you do as a volunteer?“At Foundation Convoi Exceptionnel, all kinds of creative and theatrical projects are conceived. I am a real doer and a handyman. Give me a good plan and I will carry it out; independently or with someone else. Creating things, that’s what I love.”The most fun thing I have experienced here is…“The personal appreciation I receive now. In the technical industry, it is non-existent or minimal.”What is your tip for people who want to start doing volunteer work?“Do something that you enjoy yourself, instead of – the pleasure for – the ‘boss’. ‘Life is very short and there’s no time for fussing and fighting my friend.'”Read the story of artistic director of Convoi Exceptionnel Hetty van Bommel about working with volunteers.

Interested in volunteering in the field of technology? Check out these job vacancies.