They are fat buddies, eleven-year-old Linus from Roden and the 71-year-old Piet from Peize. Two years ago they were linked to each other via the Maatjes project Maatjes Support for young people (MOJ) of Stichting Welzijn in Noordenveld.
Young people between the ages of 10 and 23 are eligible for such a buddy. There may be a need for all kinds of reasons. “From help with schedules, to help with life,” explains Piet.
Linus falls under the young caregiver category. “So my sister had a depression, so we couldn’t do that much at home,” he says. “Then I thought it would be better if I had a buddy, so that I could share things if something had happened at school. And so that I could do fun things.”
That buddy became Piet. “At home it’s all about other people, who have much more difficulties than Linus. If he is with me, Linus is the boss.”
One day a week he sets out with Piet and then it’s all about him. “Usually we are playing a game at the library, or something,” says Linus. “And sometimes during the holidays we go somewhere. For example, to the zoo, or to the Drents Museum.”
“I try to organize things that I think: Linus doesn’t know yet,” says Piet.
He not only does fun things with Piet, with him he can also vent his heart. “I usually find it very difficult to ask something, or to say no. With Piet that feels much easier to do than at home. Because he’s my buddy.”
Piet reported to the Maatjes project when he retired. He is one of the three volunteers there. “I think it’s important to do things that are meaningful.” Previously there were six, but a few lost weight.
The two have the greatest fun together. “Linus likes a lot of things. He is enthusiastic. That makes life very easy. And when we do things, it will always be fun.”
And that Piet is no less than sixty years older than Linus, the two friends don’t bother. “Are you bothered by it?”, Piet asks Linus. “No,” he says resolutely.