Annemarie finds helping out the most normal thing in the world

‘I step into everything if necessary. That is also my problem.’

In addition to her job as an environmental coordinator for the government, four days a week, Annemarie volunteers at the Royal Amsterdam Swimming Association 1870 – the oldest swimming association in the Netherlands. She finds it very normal that she also helps out at the athletics club as a judge and first aider, and that she organizes youth camps for various associations. “I learn so much and have gained many new experiences.”Once a week, Annemarie trains children at the Bijlmerbad and guides them in competitive swimming. She also gives swimming lessons to adult women. “When my children were taking swimming lessons and I was waiting for them to finish, I realized that I could spend my time more productively. I have been a volunteer swim coach for four years now. I am not trained as a coach but I have my swimming certificates. Additionally, the programs are planned by the head coach, and we (volunteer) coaches support each other. There are always certified coaches present at the pool when swimming activities take place.”Needed in societyAnnemarie finds it important to do volunteer work. “Without volunteers, an association would not exist, roles within the club need to be filled. Moreover, it is important that children can participate in sports; as a volunteer, you make that possible. And it’s incredibly fun to do. Especially teaching swimming lessons to adults is very rewarding work; they tell the instructor that they become happy and joyful from the lessons. Some parents of children who participate in competitive swimming think that the volunteer coaches are paid. Sometimes they can be quite demanding while we are there on our free evening and weekends.
I don’t understand why people don’t do volunteer work. Everyone has time, it always fits into your weekly schedule, and it is important to do. It doesn’t have to be much; even if you do it for an hour a week or occasionally. An association consists of members and parents of young members; they have to do it together, they are the association themselves.”It was a gift“Until recently, I was also a volunteer at the Klein Leerorkest in Amsterdam Zuidoost. I have been to Spain with the orchestra as a supervisor, where I was co-responsible for forty children. Going out with children is always a party. You come home completely exhausted, but it also gives a lot of energy. It was truly a gift.”I chat a lot in English“Through all my volunteer work, I have learned to interact better with people and have gained many new experiences. One particular memory I cherish is from a volunteer project right after my school exams. I was asked to be a translator for a group of English ladies visiting the Netherlands during the time of the major miners’ strikes in England. They were visiting municipalities, trade unions, and the ministry. There was no budget for a professional interpreter, so they asked me: ‘Hey Annemarie, would you like to come along and translate?’ It was incredibly exciting, but it helped me improve my English significantly. The hesitation to speak English that some people experience after their school years didn’t have a chance to develop in me. Now, I chat away in English.”

Text and photo: Helen KooistraAre you also interested in volunteering in Amsterdam?In our job board, there are more than 1500 different opportunities.