“If I hadn't had Buddy, I would never have felt so happy again.”
When parents separate, there must be the right support for children. Unfortunately, this is not always self-evident. A divorce is often not the biggest problem, but the way it is handled is. We think it is important that children receive support from others in the area, and that there is love and attention when things are not going well.
Together with Villa Pinedo, we ensure that children have an (online) place where they can be themselves and where they are really listened to. In an accessible way, children are given the space to talk about their parents' divorce, everything that comes with it and what they feel about it. They can contact Villa Pinedo for information, ask other children questions, share experiences or sign up for a Buddy. These are young experts who have divorced parents and have experienced the same thing.
When there is someone you can always turn to, who emphasizes that it is okay to feel what you feel, and who gives space for all your emotions, you regain your own strength: you feel stronger than before. This gives children perspective on the future and, thanks to tips and advice, they can discover for themselves how to deal with their parents' divorce. By investing in a strong foundation, these children also have the opportunity to just be children and develop themselves into self-reliant citizens.
Knowing more? Check out the website of our partner Villa Pinedo.
Sabine (20 jaar)
Now I would like to help others
“When I was 13 years old my parents separated. There were a lot of arguments at home, my parents said unkind things about each other and I became a kind of messenger between the two of them. I had one friend who also had divorced parents, and I could talk to her about it a bit. But because her situation was very different, for example she no longer had contact with her father, I still felt lonely.
Together with our partner, the Villa Pinedo Foundation, we ensure that children like Sabine have a place where they can be themselves and where they are truly listened to. That's how Sabine found an Online Buddy to chat with. Her Buddy had been through something similar and therefore provided a safe place where she could go for support and advice. She chatted with her for a year.
The contact was fantastic. I could always text her and trust her to respond as quickly as possible. I could share my story with her, and she also helped me with questions, for example, about complicated things like child support. We chatted a lot about other things as well. And she always remembered everything. For example, if I had a birthday or a test, I always got a message beforehand to wish me luck or happiness. That's what I remember most; she really saw me.
Sabine is now 20 and has a Buddy of her own. "When I turned 18, I thought it would be so cool to share the feeling my Buddy gave me with other kids who need it. One of the kids I chat with often feels lonely and can't talk to anyone around her. She told me how much she enjoys talking to me. It's so cool that I can give her that."
Every year, 86,000 children in the Netherlands experience divorce. Research by the Villa Pinedo Foundation shows that 59% of children lack support during and after this period. 91% of young adults who missed out on support say the divorce had a significant impact on their childhood. Of these, 78% feel the consequences as adults. Children with divorced parents are, on average, more negative about their quality of life and how they are doing. They also experience more stress and lack love, attention, and support, especially from their parents.
een soort dagboek
“My Buddy is like a diary, and the cool thing is that she talks back!”
eindelijk praten
“I had no one else to talk to about the things in my head.”
last van mijn schouders
“I can talk to my Buddy about all my problems and he is always there for me. A burden has been lifted off my shoulders.”
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