Every year, thousands of volunteers and donors dedicate themselves to De Regenboog Groep to make Amsterdam a better place. They do so with all their heart and soul. What motivates them?
Knitting for the Homeless
Every Monday evening, a small group of women gets together in Amsterdam-Noord—for the camaraderie and to knit together. For the past four years, they’ve been knitting for the visitors at our walk-in centres.
“Last year we received a thank-you letter from the director with a real signature,” says Lies, filled with pride, as she knits a sock with four needles. Mieke quips, “I bet you hung that above your bed.” Everyone in the living room laughs. Then Jolanda walks in, a little late. But she’s cycled all the way from the Bijlmer. She doesn’t skip a session. None of the ladies do, for that matter. Even though it’s raining cats and dogs. “It’s way too cozy,” laughs 82-year-old Geeske, who grew up on Dappermarkt and is making a shawl. Lies pours another round of tea while Jolanda walks to the kitchen: “Would everyone like a piece of sugar bread?”
“We’re all the type who can’t sit still”
The ladies don’t want to leave hostess Aartje—who, at eighty-nine, is the oldest of the group—to deal with the mess, so they always do the dishes. Aartje wouldn’t mind. As long as they come. Everyone looks forward to Monday evenings. Christa: “We’re all completely different, but through knitting we’ve become friends.” Mieke: “Well, we’re not that different. We’re all the type who can’t sit still.” Geeske nods: “My hands have to be moving; otherwise, I get nervous.” Tonight, twelve pairs of hands are at work. That results in a huge pile of items: scarves in bright colors, hats with cheerful pom-poms, shawls, and socks.
Hostess Aartje
Lies: “At the end of 2021, we showed up at De Regenboog with eight bags.” To which Nicole, the 57-year-old youngest member of the group, adds: “We’d even made blankets by then.” Jolanda [matter-of-factly]: “Well, we’re happy to do that.”
Mieke has also been a buddy with De Regenboog Groep for five years now. Without looking up from her knitting, she explains why: “Not everyone has been lucky in life.” To which everyone responds in unison: “That’s right!” She’s just dropped a stitch.
Making memories together
Manouk van Groeningen (31) is a Senior Talent Consultant and Trainer at Coolblue. In addition to her work, she wants to make a difference in the city. She has been a buddy at De Regenboog Groep since 2018.
“Five years ago, I hit rock bottom myself. It happened during my first job. I was overworked and felt lonely. I have plenty of friends and a loving family, but what I was really looking for was someone in a similar situation with whom I could talk. That period really made me think. So when a friend told me about De Regenboog Groep, I signed up right away. Because of my own experience, I wanted to help young people whose lives are going a little differently right now. This week, I just happen to be going out with my fourth buddy—a girl this time. During our first meeting, she told me that it feels pretty strange to her. “You’re not a social worker,” she said, “but you’re not a friend either.” And that’s exactly it. Personally, I feel more like a sister you can talk to and do fun things with: making memories together.
“How often do you have a real conversation with someone you don’t know very well yet?”
Manouk
I love hearing people’s stories. What kind of families do they come from? How do they view life? What drives them? That’s how I ended up going to a Sri Lankan restaurant with my Indian buddy. “This isn’t allowed at all,” he laughed, “eating with a woman who isn’t your wife.” You can share a pizza, but not dishes from Indian cuisine. It was funny for both of us. How often do you actually have a real conversation with someone you don’t know very well yet? In this case, someone from a completely different culture who has to finance his entire education through part-time jobs and is making huge strides. I think it’s wonderful to be able to contribute to that.
I recently read an article that articulated exactly what’s been bothering me for a while: everything has to be useful to ourselves. Your work has to be fulfilling. You have to get something out of your friends. We cancel a dinner date with the greatest of ease without wondering if the other person might have been really looking forward to it. As far as I’m concerned, we could certainly be a little kinder to others. There is a lot of invisible suffering in Amsterdam. It’s actually a very lonely city. If we all just thought of one person, then everyone would be thought of.”
Text: Nicolline van der Spek | Photography: Merlijn Michon