In the midst of busy lives, weekends are often seen as precious time to rest and recharge. People want to use them wisely. So why would anyone choose to spend those valuable hours volunteering, an activity that seems to demand both energy and commitment? Perhaps the answer can be found in the stories of volunteers from Serve the City Amsterdam.
A Day at Kinderboerderij Uylenburg
On February 7, Serve the City Amsterdam (STCA) held its monthly volunteer day at Kinderboerderij Uylenburg, located in Rembrandtpark. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, STCA is a well-known volunteer platform dedicated to connecting people with community needs, fostering social care, and helping make Amsterdam a better city to live in. Kinderboerderij Uylenburg, an open petting farm, is the second-oldest city farm in Amsterdam, surpassed in age only by Artis Royal Zoo. Home to a variety of friendly animals, it serves as an important gathering place for the local community.
On this crisp day, the task at hand was practical and hands-on. Armed with shovels, brooms, and wheelbarrows, the volunteers spent the morning cleaning animal enclosures, replenishing hay, and sharing lovely moments with the farm’s furry residents. Despite the physical nature of the work, the atmosphere remained light as volunteers chatted while they worked, their laughter mingling with the occasional bleat of a goat nearby.
From Stranger to Participant: Finding Connection and Curiosity
Among the ten volunteers present, coming from Europe, Asia, and Latin America and now all living in the Netherlands, four were participating in an STCA activity for the first time. Dhvura, a student from India who arrived in Amsterdam a year ago, has always loved animals and previously volunteered in Mumbai. For him, joining this event was also a way to find rhythm and connection during a life transition. With candid humor, he admitted, “I just went through a breakup and suddenly have more time, so…” drawing laughter from those around him.Zi-Yu, a Chinese student, had previously participated in group-based volunteer programs in China. Describing herself as introverted, she signed up alone this time, knowing no one beforehand. She found volunteering to be “a low-pressure way to socialize,” allowing her to interact naturally with others while also spending time with animals.
Living in Amsterdam for six years, Elizabeth from Singapore joined the program out of curiosity, seeking a fresh experience as she had never been in such close contact with animals. Her warm laughter filled the air as she chose the word “Smile” as her message to the world. Meanwhile, Ilaria from Italy, who moved to Amsterdam about a year ago, saw volunteering as a way to meet people and also to find motivation for her photography practice. She shared that in her experience in Italy, volunteer activities are typically organized formally in group settings, which made it somewhat difficult for her to engage in ad hoc or individual volunteer opportunities. In this regard, volunteering through STCA is more flexible, lowering the barriers to participation.
Giving Back and Feeling Fulfilled: The Joy of Volunteering Again
For returning volunteers, the most common reason for continued participation is simple: giving back. Bianca from Brazil, who has lived in the Netherlands for seven years, transitioned from participant to STCA volunteer coordinator and has been actively involved for two years. To her, volunteering feels like a natural way to give back to the city while rediscovering human kindness. She discovered an unexpected passion for environmental work and even took pleasure in small tasks, like figuring out the most efficient way to clear tiny bits of trash from the drainage grates.
When asked what she would like to say to those hesitating to volunteer, Bianca’s tears spoke for her. “I just hope people can be kinder to this world.” Perhaps it was the frequent sight of litter scattered across parks during city clean-up activities, or the subtle disappointment of inviting friends who rarely followed through. Whatever the reason, her heartfelt wish for greater care toward nature and community was unmistakable.
Frederika, from Slovakia, has lived in the Netherlands for six years and regularly volunteers in various roles, including supporting elderly people. She describes volunteering as bringing a simple yet direct sense of fulfillment. Kuhu, who moved from India to the Netherlands with her parents more than a decade ago, first joined STCA during high school. Half-jokingly, she said she volunteers for the feeling of “getting to feel useful,” while also enjoying the warmth of being surrounded by both people and animals. Japanese student Olieia, participating for the second time after being invited by a friend, compared the experience to a relaxed outing together. For her, volunteering comes down to one honest feeling: “Just happy to be here!”
Behind the Scenes: The “No-Show” Challenge
Yet volunteer work also comes with real-world challenges. Hannah, an Amsterdammer and the farm organizer who has worked at the site for nearly a decade, shared that the most frustrating experience of hosting volunteers is not the workload, but no-shows. She recalled an occasion when more than thirty people registered, yet none arrived. That threw the day’s plans into disarray.
While such situations may be caused by weather or unforeseen circumstances, volunteers’ timely updates are far more important than many realize. Still, this has not diminished her enthusiasm. For those still hesitating, she offers a cheerful invitation: “Please come!” Buzzing with energy, she zipped around the farm that day, helping volunteers meet the animals, whispering little stories about each one, and even leading the group on a mini “tour” to admire a particularly stunning chicken.
Inspired by Hannah’s seamless connection with the farm’s residents, I decided to seek some ‘client feedback’ of my own. I approached one of the goats, notebook in hand, hoping for a candid quote on the quality of service provided by our volunteers. However, my earnest inquiries were met with a profound, grassy silence. While Hannah could clearly speak their language, the goat seemed utterly unimpressed by my journalistic curiosity, choosing to ignore the interview in favor of a quiet afternoon snack. It was a humbling reminder that while we humans are busy finding meaning in words, these animals are perfectly content just living in the moment.
Giving Back and Connecting: The Heart of Volunteering
Across conversations, volunteers repeatedly mentioned three core motivations: giving back, connecting with others, and, naturally, the chance to spend time with adorable animals. Driven by these motivations, STCA’s variety of activities, flexible scheduling, welcoming atmosphere, and lack of strict requirements help make it easier for them to pursue these experiences.
Ultimately, the true meaning of volunteering may not lie in how much work is accomplished, but in the intention to give back, in rebuilding the real-world connections that social media often erodes, and in choosing to extend a little more kindness to the world. When people step outside their routines and contribute even a small effort to shared spaces,
Author: Maya Kao
Photo’s: Ilaria
