Peter's story

Peter's story Pieter, a very helpful 57-year-old man, unfortunately found himself without a job after 30 years last year 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 Diemenvoorelkaar.nl. 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 putting 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 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 was 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 Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward