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Gelderland | January 21, 2022

Richard Jongetjes: 'Poverty is the worst for children'

Richard Jongetjes is a Talent Connector in Aalten and the surrounding area and has devised all sorts of cool projects to connect people. From "It'scoot to be here," where pre-vocational secondary education students and seniors do things together on mobility scooters, to "Er een potje van maken" (Making it a Pot), where donations in a special piggy bank at restaurants are used to give lonely seniors a fun—and free—evening out. Or "Groen voor Grijs" (Green for Gray), where pre-vocational secondary education students are called upon to do gardening jobs for seniors during school hours. He also believes in eradicating poverty. That's why Richard is also an intermediary for the Youth Fund.  

Richard devises projects that stand out for their simplicity and therefore feasibility. He connects people who wouldn't normally encounter each other in a creative and vibrant way. He also believes that poverty should be eradicated worldwide, starting in Aalten. He carries out projects for the municipality of Aalten, the joint primary schools, and various welfare organizations in the municipality. "I have a fantastic job," he says. "I once wrote down what my ideal job would look like. Well, that's what this job is. I have complete freedom, I can mess around, and make mistakes. I'm a bit of a cowboy. Huge respect for the municipality of Aalten and my clients who dare to take this on."  

Check

Richard grew up in Aalten, lives nearby in Bredevoort, and knows everyone in the area. "My behavior connects me with the group of people that neighborhood sports coaches don't connect with. I wear a T-shirt and jeans and light up with them. I'm a fellow citizen. That builds trust." He laughs: "I don't want to promote smoking, but it does help. Especially when we're talking about poverty. Many people in poverty smoke because of stress. I always carry a pack of rolling tobacco and a pack of cigarettes with me. That connects us. We'll quit smoking later, but first, let's have a conversation."  

Eradicate poverty from the world

As throughout the Netherlands, there are people in and around Aalten who are less well-off. "A railway line divides the village somewhat in two," says Richard. "On one side of the railway are the people who are well-off, and on the other, those who are struggling. The community life in the region is incredibly strong. There are four football clubs alone. There are dance schools that really focus on children, where many girls from low-income families dance." 

Just throw it in the cargo bike

Richard is an intermediary for the Youth Fund. How do parents find him? He doesn't hesitate: "Many know me. I have a cargo bike, which is also a household name in the region. It's parked outside my door, and people throw all sorts of things in it that they can help others with. Shame around poverty is a thing, but I call it what it is. On the other hand, I think 'we' are making a bigger issue of it than the people it affects. Because of the coronavirus, self-employed people in troubleI'm seeing that more and more. Look, I was able to save during the pandemic, simply because everything was closed and I couldn't go to the pub or festivals. The opposite is true for freelancers and entrepreneurs. They're a new group that's now running into problems.  

Good job!

Poverty is the worst thing for children. When there's stress in a family, the children suffer. It makes such a difference that children and young people have something to express themselves and meet others. For example, we have a fantastic gym here where young people can not only exercise but also function as a kind of living room where they can meet each other. If everyone goes the extra mile, things will turn out well. For example, there's a boy for whom the normal Youth Fund allowance isn't enough because he wants to exercise four times a week. The Gelderland Youth Fund goes the extra mile to make it possible. That boy is now doing well, developing all kinds of skills, and can hang out with his friends at the gym. If he didn't do that, he might be depressed at home or go off the rails. These are simple things, but you have to see the opportunities. Think in terms of possibilities, not limitations. Fortunately, almost everyone in this municipality is involved. 

More information for intermediaries