Big Brothers Big Sisters

Celina Korthals is the director of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Amsterdam. What do they do exactly? What are their ideals? And why can’t they do without volunteers?

The approach

“Children and young people living at or below the poverty line (as many as 1 in 5 in Amsterdam) are matched with a ‘Big Sister’ or a ‘Big Brother’ by us. Our volunteers. Together, they engage in various fun and educational activities once a week. The goals and wishes vary per child. It can be purely about attention and support, but also about increasing opportunities, for example through the volunteer’s network. The activities are very diverse, ranging from visiting a museum to cooking together or attending an open day at high school.”

Vision

“Every child should be able to fully realize their potential, regardless of where their cradle is.”

Thanks to the dedication of volunteers…

“…we can exist. We now have around 100 volunteers. They are the core, the heart of the organization. Without volunteers, we wouldn’t be here. I always find it very special to see how involved and passionate the BBBS volunteers are. They mean so much to the children and young people. In the end, we always say: for the potential development of a child, relationships are essential. You also see that many volunteers continue after a year, because there is a connection and because they want to grow with the child. We often hope for lifelong friendships. Volunteers often tell us that it is just as valuable, special, or educational for them and that they also get a lot in return. It’s in the small moments or the big moments you have with a Little, the bond you build, but also the insights you gain or another culture you get to know.”

Interested in becoming a volunteer at BBBS?

They are always open to new volunteers!
Text: Kiki Dusebout
Photo: Marcel JansenVCA Media