On a chilly but sunny Saturday afternoon, I found myself at Philadelphia, a neighborhood center in Amsterdam’s Da Costabuurt. I had joined as a volunteer alongside David, a PhD student from Hong Kong, and Adina, the projectcoordinator and psychology student from Kazakhstan. The purpose of this action day was to foster connection and bring a touch of gezelligheid to a group of elderly residents with disabilities. The menu for the day: tosti’s, bingo, and freshly made waffles.
A Close-Knit Community
Philadelphia serves as a daytime centre for elderly residents from the surrounding neighbourhood, offering activities, companionship, and a sense of belonging. As Adina explained, the goal is simple yet genuine: “We are like a daycare for them. We help them feel ‘gezellig’ and ‘tevreden.’” Like the others, I felt free to just be myself. Many of the attendees were regulars, and their familiarity with one another created a close-knit vibe. As a newcomer, I felt part of the group quite quickly. It wasn’t Adina’s first time here, though: “It’s nice to come and already know the people that you’re helping, to feel a closer connection. It becomes a part of your life, and it gives a bit more meaning to it.”
Cultural Exchange in the Kitchen
Our first task of the day was making tosti’s, a classic Dutch snack. For Adina and David, it was their first timepreparing (and tasting) a tosti. I was happy to be part of their first time, I told them, as I explained how to prepare one. The conversation naturally flowed into a cultural exchange: comparing Dutch tosti’s with Hong Kong rice-and fish lunches. In a city where first encounters often revolve around discussing work, bonding over food felt refreshing.
Bingo Buddies
After lunch, we moved on to bingo, a relaxing but fun game everyone knows. We helped those who struggled with reading numbers to check their bingo cards. The group really liked it.David, who had only arrived in Amsterdam two months ago, found a special moment helping a hard-of-hearing woman follow along. “During my PhD, I write papers, but I don’t get this feeling of helping someone directly,” he mentioned. “Working with computers, knowledge and logic can feel a bit cold. Here, they smile at you. It’s a warm feeling.”
Waffles and Warmth
The day ended with the sweet aroma of freshly made waffles. As we handed out the waffles, the group couldn’t wait to dig in. For many, a day such as this one is about bonding. “It’s about being a human being around other human beings,” Adina shared. “You can enjoy it, just by being there.”
Why Volunteer?
In Amsterdam, I see a lot of internationals joining our initiatives. It’s a great way to get acclimated to the culture, she said. For locals, it’s a chance to reconnect with their neighbors. We live in a city where people often coexist without truly connecting. Volunteering changes that. For David, who was new to volunteering with Serve the City, it was a chance to meet people in Amsterdam and connect with a culture different from his own. And “maybe,” he adds, “I can bring something to others, too.”
A Day to Remember
As the afternoon came to an end, I left Philadelphia with a sense of satisfaction. I’d stepped out of my comfort zone and realized I could handle way more than I’d expected. Today was a reminder that, sometimes, you’re capable of more than you realize, even in unfamiliar situations.
David, reflecting on his experience, shared his plans for the future: “Later, I will try other activities and projects. I like community projects most.”
For anyone considering volunteering, Adina’s reflection rings true: “I do believe that it’s always better to be together, especially in times of uncertainty. In the long term, it’s always best to invest in your community. You’ll be paid back at some point.”
