Since January 17, 1968, Klaasje Hoek has been active for the Red Cross. "My boyfriend was a first aider at the Red Cross at the time. He wanted me to come and have a look. I didn't like that at all. Still, I went along. That was fun and educational. Especially the togetherness and friendship was special." Back then, it was complicated to become a volunteer. You had to be in possession of an Orange Cross diploma and have to do an internship with the Red Cross before you could be deployed. "I never thought I'd stick around for so long. The years go by, you don't think about it. Volunteering means that you want to mean something to someone else. Not me, me, me, but really self-effacing for someone else. That always makes me feel good. Giving pleasure to someone else and granting them things that are very normal for you. That's why I do it." 

Understanding in society 

"I often think back to the Red Cross of the past. You got reprimanded when things didn't go well, but you learned from that. The Red Cross was organized differently at that time. At the time, nursing had a major role within the organization. I worked as a volunteer in a nursing home for 15 years. Using sheets and putting someone on the pot was normal. I also learned how to inject an IV there. Sometimes you had to change a bed without taking the victim out. You then rolled it from one side to the other. Now that nursing side is no longer there." 

"Today's society is also less familiar with the Red Cross," says Klaasje. "In the past, the Red Cross was more of a household name in society. People only see that they need the Red Cross in the event of a major calamity. Think, for example, of the flood disaster in 1953. Before the disaster, there was an exodus due to the Second World War, among other things. After the flood disaster, it became clear that the Red Cross is indispensable. For many people, their eyes are opened when an emergency occurs." 

Suitcase always ready 

A fond memory of Klaasje is the three-day trip with the Red Cross to Yugoslavia. "We helped 500 people in the war zone." Another special memory is the meeting with Queen Beatrix and the royal family in The Hague. "The meeting was private. Then you see the whole royal family, you don't get to experience that very often."  

What really makes Klaasje shine are the holiday projects. "When I talk about it, I feel like I'm back in that moment. I often went on the Henry Dunant boat. On the boat, you had to nurse, shower people, put on stockings or feed them. The target group was always different. They were people who could not take care of themselves, for example people with multiple disabilities. Such a boat trip was really an outing for them. Upon arrival, many people have a straight face, skeptical of what awaits them. During the holidays, you can see them brighten up."  

Klaasje has been with the Henry Dunant boat for 40 years. Sometimes eight or nine weeks in one year. "My suitcase was always ready. It has happened that I was asked in the morning if I wanted to come that same day. Then I called my husband to say I was leaving. Sometimes the boat was in Amsterdam, other times in Zwolle or Deventer. I traveled all over the country. It was nice to get to know volunteers from different corners of the country. I didn't know most of them beforehand, but at the end of the week you're one big Red Cross family." 

Bloom 

"Within the Red Cross, you can really flourish and grow as a person. Sometimes someone needs a little push. Giving someone confidence ensures that a person learns and grows. I once helped fellow volunteer Marianne. I told her: you're going to coordinate the reception of refugees and I'm going with you. I always said: if you fall, I'll help you. That's collaboration. Gradually, you will gain people knowledge and insights. Sometimes you just know someone can do it. So why not encourage someone? It doesn't matter if a bandage is crooked. Someone gains trust and that's what matters. As long as you dare to see your own mistakes and admit them, you will continue to grow. 

What I think is very important is that we continue to stand next to each other and never above each other. If you stand above someone, you lose people and that's such a shame. We have to respect everyone's dignity. I am a Red Crosser and you are a Red Crosser – we are aligned. Stick to the seven principles that work, that's the basis."