“It’s nice to be able to vent your heart”

26 October 2025

Interview with Maxime Burgers and Rafiek Saddal

Maxime Burgers (30) works at Heineken. She is a marketer in the export department for Eastern Europe. A few years ago, she suffered a severe concussion from an accident while cycling. She had to undergo two and a half years of rehabilitation. She is a buddy of Rafiek Saddal, who lives at the Salvation Army.

Why did you sign up to be a buddy at the Salvation Army?“I have a dog and often walk alone through the city. Sometimes a homeless person from my neighborhood would walk along. That’s when I thought, there must be more people who would enjoy a breath of fresh air. I then contacted shelters for the homeless and ended up with the buddy project of the Salvation Army.”How did you come up with that idea?“After my accident, I had to undergo a long rehabilitation process and was on the verge of depression. You feel like you’re not making any progress, and it was very uncertain whether I would fully recover. That’s when I got a dog and started going for long walks, which gave me positive feelings. It made me forget my worries for a while. That positive mindset helped me in my recovery. I wanted to pass that on to someone else.”

“That positive mindset helped me. I wanted to pass that on to someone else.”

How was the first contact with Rafiek?“It was a bit strange because it was already during the corona time, so saying hi from a distance, outside. The first time the coordinator was there. We immediately hit it off, we had a lot of topics to talk about, the same kind of humor. Our first appointment together we went for a walk with the dog in the neighborhood where Rafiek lives. Rafiek loves the dog.”What do you mean to Rafiek?“We have regular deep conversations, alongside jokes and light-hearted moments, for example about uncertainties in life. What you are afraid of. It’s nice to be able to vent your heart, I think that applies to Rafiek as well. I also try to show the positive sides of life.”What do you like about this contact?“We are the same age and we have taken very different paths. I have made choices, he has made choices, you see how life can unfold. I wish him all the best in getting through it.”Rafiek (31) worked as a front office employee atArtis. When he got divorced three years ago, he lost his job and his house. He went through a very difficult time. He no longer sees his friends. Now he lives at the Salvation Army in the Center and works three days a week at a farm in Purmerend. Rafiek loves animals.

How did you get in touch with Maxime?“They asked me if I wanted to participate in a buddy project. I said yes, but I would like a woman! We are a perfect match, we talk to each other, we have the same hobbies, thoughts, and intentions. The dog loves me. We have gone stand-up paddleboarding, we often go for walks, and we will go canoeing soon.”

“Just going out with someone, with the dog, that makes me happy.”

What do you gain from this contact with Maxime?“It helps against loneliness. Due to corona, I can’t visit my mother now because she is sick. She has cancer and is very vulnerable. Just going out with someone, with the dog, makes me happy. In these difficult times, it is important to stay in touch with friends and family. For everyone.”What do you like about Maxime?“Her hospitality, her trust, and her smile. That she cares and thinks of me.”

Comrades at the Salvation Army

As a buddy at The Salvation Army, you provide social contact and a listening ear to someone who is in a care program at The Salvation Army. You are matched based on common interests. You meet weekly or every other week to do fun activities together. Buddies attend a basic course of three evenings where you learn what it means to be a buddy and how to deal with difficult situations. The buddy contact lasts for a year.Want to become a buddy? Check out [link].www.vca.nu/gappie

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