Like mother, like daughter; both active as volunteers

Chaia (23) is helping a Syrian refugee family with the Dutch language. Through the VoorleesExpress, she got in touch with them and read children’s books to the youngest family members. Mother Anna van Praag writes children’s books herself and also volunteers in various ways, is it in the genes or is it a matter of upbringing?Anna: “I think a bit of both, I also inherited from my parents the idea of being socially involved. We used to live in Haarlem and already took action against the nuisance of Schiphol. Later, I collected donations for the release of Nelson Mandela and worked regularly at festivals. Cleaning up trash, making sandwiches, that kind of work. That’s where I also met the father of my children. It’s nice to accomplish such tasks together with others, the cultural sector relies heavily on volunteers. You immediately have a social network with people who share your interests, which is a nice bonus.”

Looking for ‘purpose’

Chaia is studying biology in Utrecht and started with the VoorleesExpress during the corona pandemic. “I couldn’t do my regular part-time job in the hospitality industry anymore and I was looking for ‘purpose’ during that empty period. They introduced me to a Syrian family with two young children. The father works as a bus driver and speaks a little Dutch, but the rest of the family doesn’t speak it at all. It was also nice for the mother that I was there. She was about my age and spoke hardly any English, but we managed to communicate with gestures and expressions. And it was also nice for me to be there, I was always warmly welcomed. Every time they had plenty of food and drinks ready for me – whether I wanted it or not, haha! That’s how they showed their appreciation, we really developed a bond over time. It was also very satisfying to see them making good progress with the Dutch language, especially the four-year-old daughter.”

“There is even a question of self-interest”

Anna is still doing volunteer work, although she doesn’t call it that herself. “I’m just doing something nice for other people who need it. What do I do? It varies from giving food to the homeless person under the bridge down the street to helping refugees find their way when they arrive at the station. It goes as it goes, and I am at least as happy about it. I’m doing well, and I happen to live in this relatively easy situation, without war or hunger. And maybe there’s even a bit of self-interest: it lies in the interesting encounters you get in return. For me as a writer, it can be a source of inspiration, precisely because they often don’t have a standard story. It helps you break out of your own social bubble, it can enrich your life.”

“I became happy and cheerful from that”

Chaia agrees with that. “If you do something you enjoy, you also get energy from it. I love animals and will soon start working at a sloth sanctuary. My mother prefers to do something directly for people. I myself spent a year visiting that family for a few hours every week, and sometimes I didn’t feel like cycling there in all weather conditions. Yet, I was always happy and cheerful after visiting them; their culture and hospitality are so heartwarming. I indeed found it enriching and still keep in touch with the mother. Because I am currently too busy with my internship and thesis, it is on hold for now, but I will definitely pick it up again afterwards.”

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Do you also like to do volunteer work?
Through us, you can find more than 1500 tasks in Amsterdam. For everyone’s talent and schedule.Search online or make an appointment with one of our mediators.Interview: Sonja RemkesPhotos:Jackie Mulder