Pieter
Pieter, a very helpful 57-year-old man from Roosendaal, unfortunately ended up without a job after 30 years and fell into a big hole. With his seas of time he decided to do something useful and through a buddy project he found a very nice match with an 88-year-old gentleman who was also looking for some company. This is his story:
After 30 years I found myself without a job and with a huge amount of time on my hands that I didn't know how to handle. I had always been a lot of people. I always had colleagues around me and all day long customer contact or contact with suppliers. And then suddenly everything just crashes.
As the months went on, I wanted to do something with that free time and I was looking for human contact. I went snooping around and came across NLvoorelkaar. Here I found a request for help that appealed to me about a buddy project and so after a while I ended up on the couch with an 88-year-old gentleman together with a coordinator for an introduction. Let's see if there was a click. After the introduction, we agreed that I would come by once every two weeks.
I liked to put a smile on his face
I went to visit for the first time a week later, we had coffee together and I listened to his story. He told me that he had a small network and that his son lived far away. I enjoyed listening to him, because that's what you're there for as a volunteer, you're there for the other person. But you can also tell your story yourself. And so it became a two-way street and a very nice bond was formed. We made once a fortnight, once a week. And sometimes I even went there twice a week. Sometimes I brought some sweets, or some flowers, because that's what he liked. I enjoyed putting a smile on his face. While it meant nothing to me, he absolutely loved it. I sometimes thought when I left: 'Would that man have to wait another two weeks for someone to come?'
I noticed from him that he really liked it when I came. He could say anything to me and vice versa. What I really liked was when he talked about the old days. About the war and about his years that he worked. He sometimes told some things twice, but oh well, I took that for granted.
He has now been admitted to a home, but my visits to him continue. Fortunately, the rules have been relaxed again after the strict Corona measures and I can also visit him there.
Recently I got a second buddy. I will also try to build such a nice bond with him. I can recommend it to anyone who has time and is sociable. You must like to hear stories and it is useful if you can tell something yourself. With these two people it is not possible to go outside. But normally you don't have to stay inside, you can also go shopping or go for a walk or something.
He sometimes told some things twice, but oh well, I took that for granted
social gardening
Volunteers wanted for garden chores Social gardening on April 23, 2021 People are living independently for longer these days. That is why it is difficult for an ever-growing group to (continue to) do the garden maintenance themselves. By gardening together you help each other and people in a neighborhood also get to know each other better. This is what we call social gardening This year we will be doing social gardening again. Gardening is fun and healthy and completely according to the corona measures! On Friday 23 April, the Present, Parteon and Zaankanters voor Elkaar Foundation organize a day on which we tackle the gardens in the Adriaan Roggestraat in the Nieuw West district in Zaandam. We want to do this together with local residents and volunteers. Will you help us this year? We gather at 9 a.m. and work until 3 p.m. at the latest. If you can only come and help for a few hours or part of the day, you are also very welcome! Lunch will be provided. Contribute your bit Not only the Adriaan Roggestraat can use help with the refurbishment of gardens. Our website contains various help questions related to gardening. Every year in the spring many questions about refurbishing gardens are posted. Hedge trimming, lawn mowing and preparing the garden for spring are especially favorites. That is why it was decided this year to pay extra attention to these requests for help and to call on as many people as possible to help. Coronaproof volunteer work Since gardening takes place outdoors, this volunteer work can easily be done at 1,5 meters, coronaproof. Are you interested? Then take a look at the garden questions on our website . Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward
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