Audrey (22) helps us building boats as a volunteer. But at the ship yard, she learned so much more than this: that she wants to go back to school again.
“What attracted me to Clean2Anywhere was the sustainability aspect of it. We know that many of our habits have to change. I wanted to see what else I can do myself and how I can encourage others to take their own steps as well. But what on earth was I going to do here? I have two left hands, so I had no idea what building boats would bring me.
The good thing is that this is a non-profit organization. The atmosphere here is calm and friendly and we are not working under pressure. You can be who you are and you don’t have to meet all kinds of requirements. If something doesn’t work? No problem. Then you try again, or find out what does suit you. Instead of you having to fit into a box, we look at the box and see how we can build it around you and your talents. This absence of pressure gives you the space to make your own discoveries. This will eventually make the wheels spin again.
In recent months I have discovered that I want to start a course in social work. The idea is that I will also be given a role in this direction on the workshop, guiding other young people. I don’t know yet how we’re going to do that. But I know that I want to use my own experiences with social problems and guidance – the good and the bad experiences – for others.’
What I’ve learned here is that you can pick yourself up at any time. Both on a work and personal level, as well as in the field of sustainability. You don’t have to wait for a specific moment or have New Year’s resolutions. You can take steps at any time to make your life more sustainable. Look at the things that are already there and build on them. Even if you feel like ‘you’ve fallen into old traps’, pick yourself up and start over. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as you get moving again.”
