De Kloof is almost bursting at the seams by now. So it seems like a gift from heaven when the opportunity arises to open a walk-in centre for drug users on the Red Light District. With the help of fifty volunteers from the churches, who put in many hours of work, the building at 91 Oudezijds Achterburgwal is rebuilt and painted. On September 1, 1979, it opened, named after the einzelgänger Tabe Rienks, who died far too young in 1976, and who devoted himself with enormous energy to helping the homeless and addicts. The upper floors will house the consulting rooms of the fieldwork department, while the first floor will house the walk-in centre.
Biblical motto
From the beginning, the premise has been that De Regenboog offers help without belittling or condemning and without acting as a moral preacher. As a result, the foundation can count on a great deal of support from its supporters. What also appeals is that De Regenboog is willing to work for any group that would otherwise not receive help. The motto is after Psalm 72: "Help where there is no helper." The congregation still has little vision for the rapidly growing problem of drug users. Many of them come from European countries with repressive drug policies. And there is a group that came to the Netherlands after Suriname became independent in 1975 and cannot find a place here.
Tabe Rienkshuis