Running reporter: Rafealla Mulas
On May 17, 2025, Global Volunteer Day brought people together across the world to take part in a wide range of volunteering projects. In Amsterdam, one of the many activities organized by Serve the City (STC) was a clean-up in Vondelpark, where a group of volunteers gathered not just to enjoy the sun, but also to give something back to the city. Armed with trash bags, pickers, and a shared sense of purpose, they joined forces to make the park cleaner. From first-time participants to returning volunteers, each person brought with them a story, a motivation, and a commitment to making a difference.
My name is Raffaella, and as part of a parallel STC project, I spent the afternoon not joining the clean-up directly, but listening to the voices of some of the volunteers who were there. What follows are their stories.
Peter Paul (Project Coordinator)
Peter, 38, grew up in a small village in the south of India, where helping the community was part of everyday life. “In school, we had something called social experience”, he says. “We would plant rainforest trees, clean lakes, clean the city, support orphanages — it was just part of who we were.” That early sense of responsibility for the community has stayed with him. After moving to the Netherlands almost six years ago for work with Unilever, Peter looked for a way to give back to his new city. “I searched online for volunteering opportunities in Amsterdam, and Serve the City was the first one that came up. I have been involved ever since!”
Peter’s very first STC project took place on a farm in the west of Amsterdam. “They handed me tools and told me to drill and hammer, and it felt great to learn new things and see what I was capable of.” Since then, he has been involved in all kinds of projects, from making pancakes and setting up a fence to helping out in people’s homes and cleaning up Vondelpark. He really loves the variety: “It’s never the same thing twice. Every day is different, and I have never been bored!”
For the past three and a half years, Peter has also taken on the role of project coordinator, especially for Vondelpark clean-ups on Fridays and Saturdays. “This project is great because new people join every time”, he says. “If someone is looking for a regular way to give back and meet others, this is a perfect way to do it.”
STC has become more than just a volunteering platform for Peter — it’s a community. “Many of my closest friends here, I met through STC. Doing something meaningful together bonds people.” One of his most touching memories is building a new fence for an elderly man whose original one had been destroyed by a storm. “It took us just three hours, so it wasn’t that much, but it was so beautiful to see how much it could impact someone else. You should have seen his face when he saw the new fence! The joy, the thankfulness and the tears on his face — that’s something I’ll always carry with me.”
Outside of volunteering, Peter is passionate about photography, cooking Indian food for friends, and playing racquetball.
Through volunteering, he has learned to let go of micromanaging and trust others: “You learn to give people the space to take responsibility and do things in their own way.”
Peter sees volunteering as an antidote to individualism. “The world is a fairly selfish place. And we are all selfish, in some ways. But if we can be just a little less selfish in some parts of our lives, that already makes the world a better place.” He has seen lives change through STC, including those of close friends: “They start to focus less on themselves and more on how they can impact others. It’s powerful to watch that shift.”
His advice for those who are hesitant? “We often overestimate what we can do in a short time and underestimate what we can do in the long run. Volunteering gives you a chance to make a lasting impact. You don’t have to do it all the time, but even just being available from time to time can make a difference!”
Daniel Kim (CFO of STC International)
Daniel was born in Belgium and lives in Washington, DC. He describes himself as having “Asian heritage, a European heart, and an American brain”. He travelled to Amsterdam to take part in Global Volunteer Day here — in one of many events happening across the world. “This morning, Australia kicked it off,” he says. “Then Korea, the Philippines, and several African countries started to share what they have been working on.” As the CFO of Serve the City International — the global network supporting over 50 countries — Daniel plays a key role in sustaining the movement.
While his role is part-time, Daniel brings his full passion to it. He also works as an international management consultant, navigating between the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
“I joined as CFO about a year ago”, he explains, “because the organization is growing very quickly and needed some organizational management. But what really drew me in is the association’s core values, and the fact that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.”
What excites him most about STC is the constant interaction with new people and the spirit of working together. “You are constantly seeing new people, and you can feel the harmony and the unity”, he says. “There is a sense of solidarity when you are doing this. And did you know that volunteering is scientifically proven to be an amazing medicine for your well-being?”
Daniel believes that volunteering doesn’t just benefit others — it transforms you, too. “You realize how meaningful you are in your community. Your worldview changes. Your confidence and your sense of self-worth grow. You become part of something bigger than yourself.”
Michelle Gramlich
Michelle, 28, grew up in South Africa after being born in Germany, and she now calls Amsterdam home. With South African, Italian, and German roots, she comes from a warm and international family where giving back has always mattered. Her journey with volunteering began back in school, where community service was part of the school activities, inspired by Nelson Mandela’s legacy. After moving to the Netherlands for her studies and later starting a job here, Michelle found her way to Serve the City about six months ago. Since then, she has rotated through a range of activities, including park cleanups, baking, and community service, often bringing friends along to join. With a background in Organizational Psychology and a passion for connecting with people, she finds joy not only in giving back, but also in learning about others’ stories. Her hobbies include baking, gardening, and cosmetics, and she particularly enjoys doing the makeup for her friends on special occasions.
Michelle’s favorite STC event so far was the last one she attended. While making soup for a local community in the Nieuwe Mark area, she and the other volunteers received heartfelt feedback and had meaningful conversations with residents. She also reflected on how many internationals take part in Serve the City, and hopes more locals will be inspired to join as well.
Michelle joined the trash-picking activity because she cares deeply about the environment. Having grown up with Germany’s strong culture of recycling, she feels a deep personal drive to minimize waste.
“It’s so rewarding to see your trash bag fill up — you can really see the impact you are making!”, she says.
For Michelle, volunteering has helped her feel grounded in a new country and has given her a sense of purpose and belonging. “If you are new in a country where you don’t know anybody, your family is not here, it can sometimes be a bit of a lonely experience. But here I have found friends, community, and connection.” Her advice to anyone considering it? “Just come and do it. Even if you don’t know anyone — especially if you don’t — you’ll meet people. It’s fulfilling, and it doesn’t take much of your time!”
Sora Zaimo
Originally from Japan, 26-year-old Sora moved from Tokyo to Amsterdam just over six months ago for her job in accounting. In her free time, she enjoys kickboxing and playing basketball, and in fact, she is heading to Germany this weekend to join a Japanese basketball tournament. The trash-picking activity in Vondelpark was Sora’s first experience volunteering in Amsterdam, and she particularly appreciated the positive atmosphere and sense of connection. “There is such a nice vibe between the volunteers”, she says with a smile. In the future, she hopes to take part in projects supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Santiago Mijares
Santiago, 21, is originally from Mexico City and has been living in Amsterdam for three years. He is currently studying commerce, economics, and entrepreneurship at Tio Business School, but his true passion lies in cinema, and he dreams of making films in the future. Santiago came to Amsterdam drawn by the cultural richness of Europe and the chance to meet people from all over the world.
“With volunteering”, he says, “you get to meet amazing people, and also step outside yourself and become something more for society.” He began volunteering with Serve the City about four months ago, motivated by a desire to make a difference, no matter how small. “Even if it’s something tiny, you are still doing something, and that matters.”
His most memorable moments include delivering donated gifts to children during Christmas, and cooking soup for a local community together with fellow volunteers. “Seeing people’s excitement to try something new was moving and heartwarming”, he says. Santiago also appreciates the quieter forms of service, like trash-picking: “No one says thank you when you collect the trash from the park, so you are not doing it for recognition, but simply to be there for others.” Through STC, Santiago has learned to become more open and confident. “Naturally I’m a bit shy and reserved”, he shares, “but volunteering has helped me connect with people and feel more secure about my actions.”
Winnie Hsu
Winnie, 34, is originally from Taiwan and has been living in the Netherlands for twelve years. She is no stranger to Serve the City, having joined several projects over the years, including clean-up efforts in different parks. “I like how it’s organized, and it’s nice to do something visible for the city”, she says. One of her most touching memories while volunteering with STC was baking pancakes at a homeless shelter, where a resident gifted her one of his hand-painted artworks.
For Winnie, volunteering brings joy and connection. “I’m usually shy and I don’t meet strangers easily, but here it’s easy to meet and talk to like-minded people”, she shares. Her advice to new volunteers? “Pick an activity you enjoy and just go with it — you’ll find surprises and nice memories along the way!”
What I picked up
Recently, I thought about trying out volunteering in Amsterdam, and I found out about Serve the City. I looked at their calendar and found all kinds of possibilities.
Helping fix houses? No. I’m too lazy and clumsy for that. I would 100% break something that wasn’t yet broken.
Projects that require Dutch? Nee. I’m lazy in a different way.
Cooking or baking for the community? No. I have food allergies; I would poison myself.
Picking up trash in Vondelpark? No. Who would pick up trash in a park on a Saturday?!
Running reporter and storyteller, interviewing volunteers and writing about them? That, I could do!
So I signed up, and a few days later, they asked me if I could interview the volunteers who pick up the trash in the park.
I showed up in Vondelpark with a notebook, a recorder, and zero idea what to expect. I ended up spending hours talking to people from all over the world. Some had been volunteering for years. Others were trying it for the first time. But they all spoke about connection, about giving back, about finding a new sense of purpose in small, simple things. And I just kept thinking: this is so beautiful.
So, back to my original question: Who would pick up trash in a park on a Saturday? Turns out — people from every corner of the world, who show up because they care. People who have a real drive to connect with others. People who are curious, open, and fun to talk to. People one could easily be friends with.
This time, I only picked up their stories.
Next time, I will take trash bags and pickers, and join them.
Interested in joining our volunteer community at Serve the City? Check out our activity calendar for your next volunteering adventure.
And get ready to meet people from around the world! 🌎
