Translation (request) of a piece I wrote in Dutch
This afternoon the market square in Purmerend, a city
not far from Amsterdam, is very busy. Many people are searching in the stalls
for ‘new’ products. The coffee and apple-pie that I ordered could be considered
as a reward for my cycling tour up to now. The taste is excellent and the
friendly service an invitation to come back. This is Bownies&DownieS, a
lunch café where people with disabilities are working.
On the terrace a mother of one of the employees tells
me that her son never has been more cheerful than in this place. One week later
the owner Sebas Koeter allowed me to listen to the stories of his ‘crew’. After
8 years in nursing and care of disabled people, he took matters into his own
hands. Being one of many employees working for a mega company he saw no
progress or positive development for himself.
At the table in front of me sits
an idealist trying to realise his dream. ‘I consider this square as the centre
of society and that is exactly where I want to give these people a place. They can
make mistakes and nobody will be angry if a plate lands on the floor in
thousand pieces’. It shows the commitment to his ideas and the people
concerned. On the other hand, every initiative will demand a certain investment
and it is very important to let the outside world know about this project.
For
that reason, a comedian has performed in the restaurant to attract
customers. It doesn’t take long before the enthusiastic employees
tell their stories. Landsay, head of the service helps me every now and then to
lead the conversations into the right direction. It is as if I enter a humane
oasis. Their opinion and honest expressions are impressive. For those here it
means getting the best out of yourself, recognition for your work, belonging to
and standing in the middle of society.
These are positive ingredients. Patrick, Melissa, Joy and Brian, they all
give a deep insight into the enrichment of their lives. From the day care, with
limitations almost boring to the man that receives customers, working also in
the kitchen. If Patrick tells his story the emotion is clearly visible. Melissa
indicates that she likes working here and shows an enormous ambition to learn
all kinds of things such as cooking and how to handle the cash desk, when
customers pay their bill.
This is her dream and being here is much better than
the old place where she was. Joy explains how the day starts. ‘In the morning
first we change clothes, put on our workwear and take our little notebook to
write down the orders. Then we have a coffee before the early customers arrive’.
After Brian has presented himself he tells about his active life. Part of the
week he even has another job in an archive. Here he is in his element and he
doesn’t encounter any ‘obstacles or difficulties’.
This comes straight from the
hart and is a real compliment for the man who has taken this initiative.
Suddenly the discussion changes as Brian makes it clear to me that he is a TV
star. In the programme, he and his colleague won the first prize for preparing
menus and serving customers, a complete restaurant formula. I learn about his
performance and the trophy he received. Spontaneous stories of all about their activities and
sometimes a surprise.
Rewriting the text of fairy tales is certainly not a
usual hobby. In a tougher world, it is very important that we don’t forget to
look at the humane side. I am very glad
that in this unique way I became acquainted with Downies&BrownieS. Perhaps
one day you will also be there at the Koemarkt in Purmerend to enjoy a coffee
or delicious lunch!
Wim Verhoeven
verhoevenkoffiekring@tele2.nl
