"Marrit and Tineke are my family"

Muhamed enjoyed living on Bisschopstraat in Leeuwarden for thirty years. When his wife died, he was left alone. Fearing a high gas bill, he heated his house with electric heaters. He did not ventilate. As a result, mould grew throughout the house. The home care provider said he could contact the Amaryllis social neighbourhood team though. "Why? I thought," says Muhamed. "I didn't think they could help me." Only when things get so bad that he has to go to hospital does the doctor himself contact the social neighbourhood team. A few days later, Tineke and Marrit, social workers at Amaryllis, are at the door.

"I was shocked by what I saw," says Tineke. "Because Muhamed could no longer climb the stairs, he slept on a mattress on the floor in the living room. Everything was covered in mould, even the furniture. Something had to change here."

Tineke, together with colleague Marrit, is committed to finding another house for Muhamed. This is not yet easy, as he does want to continue living close to the city centre. In addition, he is afraid to move. This is because his old rented house needs to be restored to its original state. That means Muhamed has to take out all the mould. "Fortunately, the landlord was understanding about Muhamed's situation," explains Tineke. "They helped get the house clean again for new residents." After some time, they find a nice flat on the Nieuwekade.

The new flat is completely bare. No paint on the walls and no floor. As his furniture was full of mould, Muhamed has to have everything new. "Through our network, we found two volunteers who wanted to paint and could lay the floor," Marrit explains. "From a special see-through budget and Muhamed's own money, we were able to get furniture from the thrift store. That's how we furnished his flat."

Now Marrit and Tineke still visit weekly to see how Muhamed is doing. "He always spoils us when we visit. There is always something nice on the table," says Marrit. Today it's doughnuts and chocolate. "I hardly have any family left," Muhamed explains. "Marrit and Tineke are my family. They have done so much for me."

To make sure Muhamed doesn't get lonely again, Marrit and Tineke introduced him to the Odensehuis. "Now I go to the Odensehuis twice a week. There are more people like me there. We play cosy games and have lunch together. We talk and have a cup of coffee. I even get picked up and brought home," Muhamed laughs. "Amaryllis has helped me so much. I should have contacted them much earlier."