Nova (20) is buddy to a 17-year-old with autism: "you may be helping someone, but you're also helping yourself, you're doing it together."
"I always felt the need to volunteer. From the time I was fifteen I applied to all kinds of organizations, but I was still too young. So then I started helping in an old people's home. There I noticed that that wasn't quite it for me (laughs). People call it 'sweet' that I like volunteering so much. I see it differently: you may be helping someone, but you are also helping yourself. You do it together. In doing so, I feel that we are here on earth to help each other.
A little too hard to start
.After my intake there was an immediate match with my current buddy: a seventeen-year-old girl who has a lot of trouble with social contact. This hinders her in many areas of life. Of course we were both very excited about it and at first I was way too excited. I had it all figured out and made a list of things she could do and that we would do together ... That didn't work and I had to take a few steps back. I was well supported by Jesse, my coordinator at De Regenboog; it's really nice to have somewhere to turn with all your questions.
Bubble tea
Now we are going to practice contact, together, step by step. For example by walking with her ferret or getting bubble tea. She has a lot of trouble talking and making eye contact, but that can suddenly disappear completely. Then I see that she loosens up. Yes, that feels very nice. Together we forget that we are buddies and know each other through De Regenboog.
How much fun it can be
.The best thing I like about this volunteer work is that nothing is really fixed: you go together to see what you are going to do, what is needed. And I also like to emphasize how much fun it can be! My peers often think it's all very heavy and serious. And indeed it is. But it can also be very fun and cozy, you can make it cozy yourself. I'm actually always happy after seeing her."
Text: Sander Kersten and Jola Gosen | Image: Tessa Posthuma de Boer
Do like Nova and become a volunteer.