Together to Hema and drink coffee

Noura: “She gives me strength and energy”
Anneke: “It’s only the small things you do, but then you do a lot for that person”Noura was 22 when she came to the Netherlands from Morocco in 2001. She got married, passed her integration exam, and worked as a cleaner. But her marriage ended in 2014 due to problems, leaving her isolated. She became depressed, was afraid to leave the house, and couldn’t work anymore. Her family lived far away. At the suggestion of a friend, she (after two years of lonely struggling) took the step to seek help and through the social work of Doras in Amsterdam North, she met Anneke (60).

Looking at people

Anneke had volunteered for the Doras Support Women project because – after being declared unfit for work – she wanted to contribute to society. The two women hit it off right away. Anneke took Noura outside, they went to Hema together, had coffee together, did something fun. Anneke also accompanied Noura to agencies or helped with difficult phone calls. She advised Noura to stand up straight and look people in the eye.

A very different woman

And after a year, a lot has changed. Noura: “I used to be completely closed off. Now I put on makeup, don’t just wear black clothes, and I dare to talk to people. I exercise and don’t spend the whole day behind the TV.” Anneke agrees: “I see a completely different woman now. When I first saw her, I thought: I want to bring you out, you are still too young for those kinds of things.”

Future

Noura now sees a future for herself again. She is taking a computer course, attending job fairs, and hopes to find work soon. She advises other women to also seek a mentor. “You really need to share your pain with someone, then you will also find peace within.” Anneke: “I see what I have achieved, which is satisfying. I have helped you and am happy that you can move forward in life.”These two women continue to meet each other with mutual pleasure, but that is not the goal of support women. In principle, you are a support woman for one year. You meet approximately once a week. As a support woman, you also meet other support women once every six weeks to exchange experiences and advise each other.Text: Lida Fokker / Photo: Anna Poll

Want to become buddies?

Do you also want to work at Doras? You can!All buddy projects in Amsterdam North can be found here – discover what suits you