As part of the International Year of Volunteers, we are highlighting inspiring volunteers in our community. This time, we spoke with Amani — an international volunteer in Aalsmeer who discovered that the skills she once thought were holding her back actually became her greatest strength.

You wanted to do volunteer work, but it wasn’t easy at first. What was that like?

“At the beginning it was quite challenging. I contacted several organisations, but most volunteer opportunities required Dutch, which I do not speak.

Later, I registered on volunteering platforms and started helping people with small things like improving English skills or helping with CV writing. That became my first step into volunteering in the Netherlands.”

How did you eventually get involved with VluchtelingenWerk?

“I kept following volunteer opportunities until a position opened at VluchtelingenWerk Nederland in Aalsmeer. Even though Dutch was listed as a requirement, I decided to apply anyway. During the interview we focused on what I could contribute instead of what I was missing. We agreed that I could support as an Arabic-English translator, and fortunately the team also spoke English.”

What kind of work do you do there?

“I help as a translator and support communication between Arabic and English speakers. My role helps people better understand important information and feel heard.”

What has volunteering brought you personally?

“It gives me a strong sense of purpose. Feeling useful and hearing a genuine ‘thank you’ is incredibly rewarding. It motivates me to continue helping others.”

You now use your own language to help others. How does that feel?

“It made me realise that skills we often take for granted can have a huge impact in the right context. What first felt like a barrier actually became my strength. Sometimes something that feels completely normal to you can mean the world to someone else.”

Can you share a moment where you really made a difference?

“Not yet in the Netherlands, but I had a very meaningful experience while volunteering in Sweden in 2012. An Arabic-speaking family approached me because their daughter urgently needed surgery. I translated medical documents for them and helped arrange communication with doctors.

Eventually the family was moved closer to a hospital where the girl received the treatment she needed. I still remember her thanking me. That moment has stayed with me ever since.”

What would you say to people who are unsure about volunteering?

“Just give it a try. Start small, maybe one or two hours and see what fits you.
There are many ways to volunteer, so find something that matches your interests and strengths. You never know how much of a difference you can make for someone else.”