Vianne and Willemien
5 months ago I decided to do something I've wanted to do for a long time, but didn't have the time for. Or maybe not for me. Through NLvoorelkaar I came into contact with Willemien.
Willemien was looking for someone who can go out with her. Because of Ménière's disease, it is no longer so easy to go out alone or to go out in larger groups. So we regularly go out with two. Out into the open air.
I love the Mastbos and often go there for a walk for an hour or two. Now I can do that together with Willemien. Either on foot or in a wheelchair if necessary. Willemien can get some fresh air, but so can I. Sometimes we walk from home, sometimes we take the car for a while, so that we can see another part of the forest. It's so beautiful there too! And when we come back, one time we'll have another cup of tea, the next I'll fly off because I have other appointments. Everything is possible.
We give it our own twist
I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to help someone in this way and I'm glad I took the step to volunteer. It doesn't always fit into my schedule, but we do give it a spin.
Volunteering is also making choices to keep it fun. There is a lot of different volunteer work. Sometimes for a longer period of time, sometimes for a day or an evening. So there is plenty to choose from that suits you.
Willemien recently asked me to do some shopping for her once a week. I almost never go to the supermarket myself, so I told her honestly that I don't want to. But I will go with her and look for someone who would do that for her. That way I can still help a little.
Volunteers for Efie
Volunteers for Efie "Together you are stronger than alone", this story is a good example of this. By keeping ears and eyes open and addressing the network, four volunteers were suddenly found who were willing to help Efie. Efie had only lived in the Netherlands for a few years and had no network, except for her language coach. When she got pregnant, of course, more and more had to happen. Her language coach picked up on a lot and she liked to do this. She did realize, however, that more help was needed for Efie, such as when she didn't have the time herself. Through Vicenius' walk-in consultation hour, Efie got to know another volunteer who was willing to help her with practical matters such as administration. Two women were found via Vughtvoorelkaar, who wanted to act as a kind of grandmother figure for Efie's baby. Because without family and friends, there is no one you can call when you can't figure something out on your own. The four women and Efie meet one evening to get to know each other. They created a Whatsapp group so that they could easily get in touch with each other. The next day, Efie gave birth. It was as if her body felt that there was enough help now, so that the baby could come. It was good, the baby could come When Efie has a question, she texts it to the volunteers. For example, one goes to the hospital, and the other learns Dutch with her or sorts some paperwork. They help Efie with anything and everything! In addition, it is also very nice and cozy for Efie to have contact with the different women. The women in turn also address their network. One of the volunteers was able to arrange a bicycle trailer for Efie through her network. Now she can go shopping and on the road with her child! All four of them do a little in this way, but together they achieve a lot. Together they achieve a lot Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward
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