Gitta is a volunteer at Children’s Farm De Werf: “We take care of the animals and each other”

Gitta Bessem is a voluntary board member atChildren’s Farm De WerfShe is happy, involved, a smart connector, and a networker. And always busy making things better for the animals at De Werf and the people from the neighborhood.Kinderboerderij De Werf in Watergraafsmeer houses sheep, pigs, goats, guinea pigs, chickens, rabbits, and many more animals. The children’s farm observes the natural behavior of animals, and the care is adjusted accordingly. “We are a model farm when it comes to animal welfare according to the Animal Protection,” explains Gitta.

It is a good life on the farm. And not only for the animals. People from the neighborhood also enjoy coming there. To relax, learn about animal welfare, nature, and the environment, to meet others, or to do volunteer work. “We hear what is happening in the neighborhood. That’s why we have a cozy coffee morning where people from East can meet each other. For many, it’s a weekly outing.”

A valuable place

Gitta continues: “Our volunteers come here to have a great day, to work hard together, and to learn. We work with each other and take care of each other, the animals, this beautiful place, nature, and the environment. We enjoy being together and have a lot of fun. You can discover here how to increase your resilience for life, but also how to step out of your own bubble. People who would never meet in their daily lives encounter each other here as volunteers at the Werf.”

The feeling of contributing something

Gitta worked in the commercial sector and was missing something. Contact and inspiration; working with your heart. “My husband has a general practice, my mother got sick, and I wanted to feel at the end of the day that I had contributed something to my own environment and the people in the neighborhood. The farm came into my life, and offered exactly what I was looking for: working with people. All the skills from the business world, such as managing, marketing, dealing with politics, public speaking, policy making came in handy. Together we ensure that De Werf remains a special place for animals and people.”

Do you want to work together with Gitta as a volunteer board member?

That’s possible. As treasurer, secretary, or general board member, you are more than welcome. Email Gitta at beheer@kinderboerderij-de-werf.nl or call 06 – 34 56 14 73.

Ready to start as a volunteer animal caretaker?

Feel like taking care of the animals? You can also work as an animal caretaker. Or help out at the monthly neighborhood dinner or with the sale of ice creams and drinks and taking care of the terrace.

Check out the current job vacancies at [website].Job Boardfrom Volunteer Center Amsterdam. Or call for a personal conversation in East: 06 – 38 32 63 17.Text: Nettie Sterrenburg

Photo: VCA Media Huub Zeeman