“My day is good when they are happy at the market”

Roelien is a volunteer at the Indische Buurt Festival on Saturday, September 6

Mark your calendars! A wonderful, fun, and above all, local festival on Javastraat, organized by and for residents. Featuring local bands, art & culture, and the community initiatives and organizations that make up the Indische Buurt neighborhood. The driving force behind this festival is the Karrewiel Foundation.

Roelien is market manager. A fun role. “Besides music, delicious food, and drinks, there’s also a long line of stalls filled with initiatives active in the Indische Buurt neighborhood. I’m the market manager for that part of the market. I know exactly who’s at the initiatives market, I engage with them, and connect the initiative takers with each other. It’s the day to meet each other, see what’s going on, and make agreements about working together or learning from each other. My day is made when I see people engaging in conversation and enjoying being at the initiatives market.”

I believe in small initiatives, in residents who notice something, miss something, and come up with something together to make their neighborhood more beautiful and better. We want to make that visible to local residents during the festival on September 6th.

At the initiatives market, residents, initiatives, artists, and professional organizations will be present side by side. There will be a focus on healthcare, women’s empowerment, education, health, volunteering, poverty, neighborhood stories, arts and culture, diversity—in short, all the themes that matter in people’s lives. Residents, as well as organizations large and small, work every day to make the Indische Buurt a great neighborhood. You’re guaranteed to make new connections on this day. And there’s sure to be something among the stalls that will bring you joy. Whether it’s people or a great initiative you’d like to contribute to.

Interested in volunteering at the Indische Buurt Festival?

We still need help setting up and/or taking down (morning and/or evening) as a crew catering team leader (preparing sandwiches, soft drinks, and coffee) in the morning, a crew catering staff member in the morning, and ambassadors (providing information) in the afternoon. Send a message to indischebuurtfestival@xs4all.nl .

Also interested in volunteer work?

Choose something that suits you.   You’ll find 1001 possibilities  in our online job board for the Amsterdam Volunteer Center. Or schedule a no-obligation appointment during one of our consultation hours .

Photo: Huub Zeeman VCA Media

Text: Nettie Sterrenburg: VCA in the East