Coby Bosker

In the end, we are there for each other!

There are many parents this Wednesday morning at the Parent Room at Rainbow School. Many mothers meet here every week to meet and learn. But it is also the time when they can ask Coby Bosker questions about all kinds of things they need help with. For example, when applying for a contribution from the Stichting Leergeld. And if necessary, she will look into tax benefits or health insurance issues.

"In the beginning, I was presented as a debt relief buddy. I am, but presenting myself that way didn't work. What does work is that I am there to help them with a bicycle or a computer application." Coby is 1 of 80 volunteers active in Zoetermeer on behalf of Schuldhulpmaatje Nederland. In addition to training as a debt help buddy, she was also trained as an assistant administrator and gained theoretical and practical knowledge in a variety of areas.

It took her time to gain confidence. Now she is a familiar face and has gained that trust. "I think it's important to build that bond. I stand beside people who need help. People need that trust before they ask for help with financial problems they face. But when you walk with them through the process, it becomes different. You can then help people get well on their way. That's how people regain peace and stability in their own lives."

Coby has done volunteer work all her life. What she does now she likes because she can do it in her own time and with her own cases. So on Wednesday mornings she can be found at the Rainbow School. But besides that, it varies a lot. Now she spends 40 hours a week with someone, but on average she spends 20 hours a month volunteering. And not only at school. She also sometimes comes to people's homes if people feel more comfortable or safe there. Sometimes it's also easier if, for example, a better understanding of the letters people have received at home is needed.

"I get nice contacts in return. And I'm happy that I can help others so they can be more involved in society again. In the end, we are there for each other."

She encounters many problems. But notes that there's actually a lot going right, too. "People need to know everything these days. For example, that you can be fined if you don't report that you earn some extra money. And sometimes people really don't know that. But my experience is that many people have the intention to do well. That is sometimes forgotten. What would help is if agencies would deviate from protocols more often. Everything always has to go along the lines, while lives rarely do. Human involvement is sometimes far from it."