Evert, an 82-year-old Amsterdam resident, dedicates his time to mentoring at School's Cool . After retiring as an electrical installer, he decided to support children struggling with language. Evert shares his inspiring experiences:

"I'm 82 years old, born and raised in the Pijp, and therefore a true Amsterdammer. When I retired at 65, after working as an electrical installer for years, I decided to do something I wasn't paid for. I read an article in the newspaper about the disadvantages of some VMBO students. Instead of complaining, I thought: let's do something for these children. That's how I came into contact with School's Cool.

My first student was struggling at school, and his mind was racing. He needed someone to truly be there for him, someone who cared and cared for him. At the eighth-grade farewell evening, I was the only one who showed up for him. The school even thanked me for being there. That touched me, and from that moment on, I continued to support him.
For me, genuine interest is central to mentoring. I begin each mentoring hour by asking how things went at school and at home. Over time, the student feels comfortable talking about these things. You have to build that connection and gain trust, not immediately, but gradually. I also share a little about myself to foster a relationship of equals.

During my mentoring, I often brought newspapers and magazines to discuss difficult words. I noticed his father was listening; he, too, wanted to learn. I felt it was my duty to help him too. When the parents are doing well, the child is often doing better too. I was even invited to authentic Moroccan meals, and soon I was asked if I could mentor their daughter as well. I advised them to watch Dutch children's television to improve their language skills—for both the children and the parents.
The bond of trust with the student is paramount. The child needs to know you're there for them, regardless of what their parents think. When it was my student's birthday, I asked him what he wanted. His answer? "I'd like to go out to dinner sometime." And so we did. Those moments make mentoring so valuable.