Jolanda for language

Jolanda for language Connection through all differences www.oosterhoutvoorelkaar.nl What does that do to you if you just read the title of this website? It makes me happy every time, to know that there are so many people who, without self-interest, want to help someone else from the heart! When you watch the news and read the papers, this world usually seems like a gloomy, cold place. Personally, I choose to do that as little as possible and to focus as much as possible on the positive things and developments that there are so many, but are so little exposed! For example, there are so many great initiatives for refugees throughout the country, so many volunteers who are committed to supporting and welcoming refugees, for example by being a buddy, cooking a meal, sharing a house, or in my case providing support. offer with the language. On www.oosterhoutvoorelkaar.nl I found a question from a Syrian couple, Feras and Mayada, for help in learning the language, which I have been doing with great pleasure for a while now. They really want to learn Dutch as quickly as possible, because this is necessary to be able to do their job again. Feras was a lab technician and Mayada was a midwife in Syria. They enjoyed their work very much and hope to be able to return to their own field of work in the Netherlands in the future. But this is very hard work because the Dutch language is very different from Arabic and therefore very difficult for them to learn. In addition, they say that they are very sorry that they are only allowed to go to school for two days of two hours for the language, they would prefer to go to school for five whole days like their teenage daughters. I think it is very nice and nice to be able to help Feras and Mayada to practice with the language, they are so motivated and you really notice progress. In addition, I think it is special to be able to share in the life story of a family that has endured so much. Imagine that everything you have, your house, your car… everything, is destroyed by bombs. That you live in constant fear that a bomb will fall on your head, or on your child! Then you will be happy that you can find peace and tranquility again in the Netherlands… but it turns out that you have lost so much more than your house and your car… also your work, your culture, your language, part of your family, your roots, your birthplace, your former vision of the future… everything has in fact been bombarded with it. I have enormous respect, admiration and compassion for all these refugees, who despite everything they have lost, are doing their best to build something new and to adapt to a completely different world. I look in amazement at Feras and Mayada, who, despite everything, consider themselves so lucky to be here, who can still laugh so much, who are so grateful that they think the people here in the Netherlands are so nice and helpful… and that time and again try to pronounce those 'impossible Dutch sounds' correctly, such as the 'ui' and the 'ng' ;). For each other…. how wonderful that we can be that more and more, more and more from the 'every man for himself' to the 'for each other' mentality. Little by little we become more aware that we are all connected to each other, regardless of appearance, matter and story. I think that's actually the most beautiful thing about helping an unknown other… to experience that separation is an illusion, a hedge we planted, beautifully cut straight. My great wish for this world is that we may move more and more from head to heart, from fear to trust and from separation to connection. I am grateful for the existence of a site like www.oosterhoutvoorelkaar.nl , which contributes to this development. I am grateful that I can now contribute to its growth behind the scenes of this site in a team of 8 people. And I am grateful to you as a reader if you want to support us in this, if only by knowing and passing on! And finally I am grateful to Feras and Mayada for their trust in me and for the beautiful experience of 'connection through all differences' that they give me. I vote for love :) Jolanda Groeneveld, Oosterhout Got inspired? Then sign up at Oosterhoutvoorelkaar! Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward

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