“My approach is to be easygoing and make jokes!”

Metta Touray was in South Africa last year, where she helped out in a children’s home for five months. Now she is a first-year history student at the UvA. She spends an hour and a half each week reading to Nour to help her with her language delay.Memories of the past“The Voorleesexpress had placed flyers in a building where I attend classes. I saw it lying there and immediately became enthusiastic about participating. It is an organization that is dedicated to children with a language delay. The program lasts for twenty weeks, and the volunteer is expected to read to a child at their home on a weekly basis. The Voorleesexpress immediately brought back memories of the past. Both my sister and I were crazy about reading. I used to read to her often. I still enjoy devouring books. The idea that I can pass on my passion to other children makes me do this work with pleasure.”Giggling is not the same as roaring with laughter“The Voorleesexpress mainly works with immigrant families. Often, parents cannot help their children effectively with their language delay. The girl I am helping is named Nour, originally from Tunisia. Nour can read independently well, but her vocabulary is very limited. Her parents want to help her, but they do not know all Dutch words. They are very grateful that I visit them and often ask me to stay for dinner.”

Giggling is not the same as laughing out loud, right

“Because I find this work enjoyable and rewarding, I think I will start this program again once my evenings with Nour are over. She is a sweet and enthusiastic girl who inspires me to help others. Sometimes I notice that she doesn’t understand certain words. Once I asked her, ‘Do you know what giggling means?’ She didn’t know, so I explained it to her. Some time later, she suddenly said, ‘Giggling is not the same as laughing out loud, right?’ I found that to be a special moment. Her comment made me realize that she is learning during our reading evenings. It is a great way to teach children something. In return, I also learn from volunteering. I am open to others, and I can help people with things that used to seem so obvious. My approach is to keep it simple and make jokes.”Guidance“The guidance of the Voorleesexpress is incredibly good. They organize an introductory meeting in the first month. In addition, a location coordinator is always available to provide advice or tips. The Voorleesexpress also provides interactive reading training. It’s great that the organization offers all these possibilities. If you encounter any problems, there is help available, and it’s nice to exchange experiences with other volunteers.”

I believe that everyone should be socially involved for at least a short period in their life