Petra makes the difference
Fewer hi-moments
The desire to want to do something for someone else, to mean something to someone who is less fortunate. These are the main motivations for Petra to do volunteer work.
She is active for the Present Foundation. Their vision 'Starting a movement in Almelo in which more and more people take it for granted to look after each other' appealed to her very much.
At Stichting Present, Petra is a so-called 'flexer'. Petra is committed to practical projects. With a group of flexers she performs jobs such as cleaning, tidying up, gardening, wallpapering and painting. 'This method is ideal for me as a husband, mother, girlfriend and a job. I indicate how often and when I can and Present matches me with a project, so I can combine everything perfectly!'
Every time a project is completed, this gives Petra a satisfied feeling. The reactions she gets from the aid recipients after a project are special: the big hug, the smile on the face, the tears of joy, the aid recipient who announced that he had finally cooked himself again (after spending some time in a car). had slept because his house was uninhabitable). The smile on the face also appears on Petra's face because she is happy that she has been able to help a fellow townsman. 'And I experience the movement from the Present vision myself. Where I previously did not have a chat or dare to ring the doorbell, I dare and do so more and more. The Present Foundation has also lowered my own threshold. So it works both ways!'
I had to swallow
A project Petra will never forget involved a single mother with 2 children.
'It was one of my first projects, so I went into it completely blank, but what I saw made me swallow. A family that lives like this? No carpet, only a fitting with a light, sockets that were loose and hardly any wallpaper on the wall. The little boy was very helpful. He went with him to the dump and helped with sauces in his bedroom. While we were making sauces, I chatted with him. A talk that touched my heart. It was almost December 5 at the time. He told me that he no longer believed in Sinterklaas, but his sister still did. Now there was no money in the house for presents, but he had the solution: he was going to pack his own toys and then give them to his sister, how sweet! But at the same time very confronting. This little boy, and the whole situation, stopped me for a moment. That this is happening, so close to my own house.... I had no idea. And also the realization how good I have it. But this made the urge to continue to work for Present all the more. I can really make a difference! This family was able to move on and continue to live together because the house had been refurbished and was livable again! So nice!'
I can make the difference
handyman Bas
handyman Bas Since his offer was on Almelovoorelkaar at the end of 2019, Bas (41) has already made many people happy. Install an awning, take something to the landfill, assemble a closet, remove leaves, mow the lawn. Bas doesn't turn a blind eye to it. “I want to help someone else and it helps me too.” “I registered with Almelovoorelkaar when I had my own DIY business. Through volunteering I hoped that my company would gain more name recognition and that volunteering would also lead to paid work. I volunteered several times at the time. Unfortunately I no longer have my own company since last year. I am currently in a reintegration process and I use volunteering to keep rhythm in my life, to keep busy and to show good will.” And showing good will is what Bas does. Given the many thanks on Almelovoorelkaar, people are very happy with him. Thank you Bas, for your help, your willingness, your patience with my client. Worked carefully. Best job For a number of years Bas has also been helping with the holiday care of Stichting de Klup in Almelo. Especially for children in special education, they offer 2x three days of holiday care to shorten the six weeks of summer vacation. “This is so 'out of the box' for me, but so nice for the variety of your own work. Giving children a good time. And instructive, I have no children myself, and first had to get used to being strict. But after a few years (and I have now become an uncle) I have found my niche.” “The outdoor jobs with nice weather, making people happy is the best thing to do. As long as I still have fun with it, I can keep it up physically, I'll continue with it! Bas, thank you very much for moving the two-seater sofa and disposing of the old one! Bas recently came to look at my garden, and is going to help me put the garden back in order. I'm very happy with that. Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward
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