“Blind photographer seeks assistant”

Photo:Jackie Mulder

Interview with René Frese and Zowik Abramov

Zowik Abramov (31) started as a filmmaker and is now the proud owner ofKlein Media, a digital marketing agency that specializes in creating websites and campaigns for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). He is also the founder ofLensguild, an online booking platform for photographers and filmmakers. His office is located on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal. A year and a half ago, he became a ‘good neighbor’ at Burennetwerk.

What was the reason for you to start doing volunteer work as a buddy?“I had wanted to do something for a while. When I got to know Burennetwerk, I thought it was ideal because it’s so flexible. You can respond to calls yourself and plan your own time to work on it. I am a very busy person and I want to compensate for that by giving back. It is fulfilling. To mean something to people who are less fortunate. You take something and you give something in life. I knew that loneliness is a big problem, and I wanted to do something about it.”How did you get in touch with René?“Our first contact was in December 2019. I had been working for Burennetwerk for a few months. That’s when I saw the call: Blind photographer looking for assistant. I thought it was cool, a blind photographer. I responded right away. We talked on the phone first, then I went to meet him.”What do you mean to René?“The most important thing is that we are sort of friends. It works against loneliness, René doesn’t have a lot of people around him. He is very independent and positive, but everyone needs contact with others.”What do you gain from this contact?“Friendship and satisfaction. It’s nice to help people. I am super busy but I gladly make time for it. For me, it’s also a way to find balance between work and life. I used to work almost non-stop, then I was close to a burnout. Now I work a maximum of twelve hours a day. Then I close the laptop and turn off the phone. No matter how enjoyable work is, you still have a life.”René Frese (74) has been a fashion photographer for many years. He worked in Milan, the fashion paradise, until he was told in 2004 that his photos were not sharp. He turned out to have an eye disease, which now leaves him with only 13 percent vision in one eye. End of career. Since cameras became digital, he has been taking photos again, now for himself.

What was the reason for asking for help from a buddy?“At the end of 2019, I returned sick from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. I had contracted a bacterium and was hospitalized for ten days at the OLVG. When I was discharged, I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t walk, couldn’t talk. Through a support organization, I ended up at Burennetwerk. I was looking for someone to help with groceries. But also someone who could assist with photography.”

“He does the same thing I do, we clicked right away”

Good neighbors at Burennetwerk

Burennetwerk is there for everyone in Amsterdam. For good neighbors who are willing to help, and for people who need help. Not big help, but those little things. Small tasks that make a big difference. And don’t take much effort to do. Right in your neighborhood. Making small talk occasionally, taking a little walk, going to Artis together, doing a small chore around the house, or helping with groceries. One-time or recurring, it’s up to you. Burennetwerk connects neighbors so that as many neighbors as possible can help each other.Want to become a buddy too? Check outwww.vca.nu/gappie