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Eelkje comes to Janny’s house for an hour every week. They enjoy going shopping together at Osdorpplein or Eelkje cooks and bakes. “I prefer meatballs because I love them so much,” Janny beams. Janny is so limited by her rheumatism that she is completely dependent on others. For the past five years, she has not been able to go outside independently. Eelkje is happy to help her. “It’s just an hour a week.”
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When Niki Jongman (36) heard last year that she could take extra vacation days at a discounted price, she decided not to spend them on a beach. Instead, she wanted to do something ‘fun and useful.’ This led her to NDSM Treehouse, an art incubator in Amsterdam-Noord. For two weeks, she contributed to their Art Park exhibition. “I now feel more at home in the neighborhood.”
During his studies, Rohan was overwhelmed by anxiety and depression. Not only did continuing his studies become impossible, at one point he couldn’t even leave the house and became isolated. He recommends anyone who is stuck in a deadlock to start doing volunteer work. “I was able to build rhythm and self-confidence at my own pace.”
Expat Briony is volunteering at the Animal Shelter Amsterdam. “It brings me joy, confidence, and respect. If I didn’t use the PowerPoint presentation in my work, the world still turned around.”
Whether you want to do something for your neighborhood, fight against poverty, or support cultural initiatives: in a board, you contribute to the impact of a social organization and develop your own talents.
An interview about a piece of social foundation in practice in Amsterdam. Nynke Vlieger has been the director-manager of Buurtteam Amsterdam Centrum for a year. “I don’t think volunteers should be the answer to the lack of the welfare state.”
Aziyme Akgun finds great joy in giving people the opportunity to help others. That’s why she regularly organizes charity events and currently runs the Giveaway Shop at Columbusplein. “Sharing something via WhatsApp can already make a difference.”
Saskia: “This gives me energy, inspiration, a meaningful use of my time, and the opportunity to follow my passion.”