“Volunteering is good for breaking out of your small student world”

Berend Smits (23) lives in the Jordaan and studies physics. He has a part-time job at the wholesaler De Kweker and volunteers at the refugee organization from Amstel to Zaan. There, Berend works as a language coach.

“Every week I meet up with Abdulwali, a refugee from Somalia, for an hour and a half. We chat a bit so he can practice his Dutch, and I help him with practical matters. Recently, we were working on applying for a tram pass. It was quite a challenge, even for me.”Everyone is welcome“I signed up for volunteer work at Volunteer Center Amsterdam after seeing a news item about refugees. Sweden announced that refugees were welcome and would be well treated. Subsequently, Dutch politicians debated whether the Netherlands should admit 200 or 250 refugees. I found this so bizarre that I decided I wanted to help refugees.

VCA helped me find suitable volunteer work. That’s how I got involved since the end of last year. The man I help is still young, thirty years old. He lives in Amsterdam, has worked at a laundromat, and will start studying in September. We get along well. Our conversations are very personal, and a kind of friendship has developed. He often tells me stories about Somalia, about tribal wars and their culture. I tell him about Dutch customs, the news, and Amsterdam.”What does ‘Nu komt de aap uit de mouw’ mean?“Many volunteers in this project help the people they assist with homework. I notice that I am very relaxed about this. I prefer to have a chat with him or go for a bike ride with him. The latter is still difficult for him. He is progressing slowly, partly due to his back problems. These issues prevent him from going outside often. This is why I see the value in visiting him. It forces him to speak Dutch. When I am with him, there is already a stack of books ready, containing words or expressions he doesn’t understand. Some time ago, he asked: What does ‘Nu komt de aap uit de mouw’ mean?

In return, I also bring books, movies, or newspapers for him. When the attack on Charlie Hebdo took place, I brought him the Volkskrant. Afterwards, I could kick myself. He is a Muslim and that day the newspaper had depicted the prophet on the front page. That is not allowed by his faith. Fortunately, he never said anything about it. I don’t think about those things.”Special“This project is very special to me. I can help someone with things that used to seem so obvious. Additionally, I learn a lot about his culture and country. It is intense to hear stories about his family in Somalia. The gap between news about Somalia in the Western world and reality is significant. You notice that by talking to a refugee.
This work is definitely recommended for other students, because it is good to occasionally step out of your small student world and help others.”Are you interested in volunteering?Feel free to take a lookin our online job board(choose from over 1000 diverse job vacancies!) or schedule an appointment for a conversation and personal advice.