Volunteering: It’s in the family

Sagar and Sheetal from India don’t suffer from empty nest syndrome. After their son Shashank and daughter Stuti went to study in Europe, they themselves traveled the world for a year and a half. Now the four of them live in Amsterdam again, where they contribute in all sorts of ways. From neighborhood cafés to nursing homes, volunteering brings them closer to their city and to each other. “It feels so good to bring some joy.”

Caring for others is in this family’s blood. In India, Sagar and Sheetal are committed to an orphanage and a home for the elderly. Daughter Stuti says: “I celebrated my happiest birthdays as a child at the orphanage, together with the girls there.” The family also celebrated special occasions at the nursing home. This way, they not only let the residents enjoy their family life but also involved their own family and friends in the plight of others.

Stuti followed in her parents’ footsteps. While studying pharmacy in India, she founded The Period Project , an organization that helped underprivileged women gain better access to healthcare. This was done through financial support, but especially through education: “Many women in India know little about how their bodies and menstrual cycles work. By educating them, they also learned to recognize when they needed to see a doctor.”

With a little help from Mona

Even in Amsterdam, the family wanted to help others. But how? Sheetal: “You want to help, but as a newcomer, you don’t always know where to start. The language, the rules, the possibilities—it can be overwhelming.” By chance, Sagar came into contact with mediator Mona Dahir of VCA. “Mona is fantastic. Not only a good listener, but also someone who, after ten minutes, has a good understanding of who you are, what you can do, and which initiatives suit you. And then she also introduced me to a suitable social organization.” Sagar was so enthusiastic that he also put Sheetal and Stuti in touch with Mona. Thanks to her ‘kickstart,’ all three of them found different projects that matched their interests.

Sagar: cooking, listening and connecting

Sagar helped out, among other things, at a café for refugees, through the Eigenwijks organization. “We were everything there: cooks, waiters, cleaners, and sometimes just a listening ear and a helping hand for the visitors.” He also cooked for local residents at Restaurant Van Harte. Stuti: “We benefit from that at home too. Dad was always the home cook, but his cooking and cutting techniques are even more refined now.” Sagar is currently coordinating an educational project where children in the Netherlands and Kenya learn together about children’s rights and social norms.

Sheetal: support and growth at Humanitas

Sheetal found her way to Humanitas’ Home-Start program, where she supports families facing significant stress. Her experience as a teacher proved valuable. “I was able to support a mother with a toddler. Just talking together and sharing experiences made a difference.” She also volunteers in a community garden and attends a Language Café to practice her Dutch and help others.

Stuti: connecting through creativity

Stuti, who now works for a large consultancy firm, occasionally volunteers. For example, she helped Nieuw Makerschap in Nieuw-West, a creative incubator for artists, by contributing to their website and marketing. She’s currently in talks with an Amsterdam nursing home: “There, I could do something for others and practice my Dutch at the same time.”

What does it bring them?

And so, volunteering brings something valuable to all three of them. For Stuti, it’s a sense of belonging: “That I belong somewhere, that I’m becoming rooted in Amsterdam.” For Sheetal, it’s the connection with people: “I enjoy being part of someone’s life, putting myself in their shoes, and using my own experience to find solutions together.” For Sagar, it’s simple: “While working in the corporate world, I only came into contact with very privileged people. By volunteering, you also get to know the lives of people who are less fortunate. It feels so good to make their lives a little easier and bring them some joy.”

Also looking for volunteer work?

We’re happy to help you get started! There’s always volunteer work to suit your interests and lifestyle. At twenty locations in Amsterdam, you can schedule a personal consultation with free, personalized advice . Prefer to search yourself? Our  online job board contains around 1,000 volunteer openings . You can easily filter by your preferences and respond directly to a call from a community organization.

Interview: Winnie van Heesch
Photos: Marcel Jansen