1/2 Nico and Wendy leave their bus shelter after more than a month (photo: Collin Beijk)
Wendy and Nico moved to Molenschot on Monday, they are finally getting a real roof over their heads at Beter Leven Zorg. The couple has been staying in a bus shelter at the Meierijbaan in Tilburg since mid-April. The makeshift house and the harrowing situation attracted a lot of attention.
Nico Klomp (39) and Wendy Laurensen (40) would prefer to have their own house where they can start over. “That has been promised to us by various authorities, but no one keeps his promises,” says Wendy. Still, the couple is happy that they have a roof over their heads again.
“They have already arranged more for us than any other organisation.”
That roof is from Beter Leven Zorg in Molenschot. According to Nico and Wendy, they can stay there for six months to nine months. They hope to be able to move on to a real house afterwards. “I feel like Better Life Care has already done more for us in recent days than any other organization,” says Nico gratefully.
Because the move is also arranged by Beter Leven Zorg. “They have also already helped with the finances so that I could buy new tools. With that I can do odd jobs and earn money for my family again,” says Nico. He has been able to earn some extra money in recent weeks by doing odd jobs for people. “I have a background in construction and am handy with my hands.”
“My son just wants to be normal with his mom and dad.”
He is happy that he can take small steps forward. At the same time, there is still a lot of frustration about how, according to him, all kinds of authorities abandoned his family. “Because I’m sitting here like this, it’s bad for my son. That boy just wants to be normal with his mom and dad.”
According to the couple, they lost their house because of water damage in the meter cupboard and nuisance reports. After that, they said they lived in their car, but it was confiscated. The bus shelter became their new residence. They eventually got the car back, but they sold it to have some extra living money.
“We saw our son here every day, soon only on weekends.”
However happy Wendy and Nico are that they are leaving the bus shelter behind, there is a disadvantage to living in Molenschot. “Here we could see our Nicootje every day, but the other day I had to tell him that he can only see mom and dad on weekends for the time being.” It visibly affects Nico. The problem lies in the distance and the lack of transport, not in the fact that Nicootje is not welcome in Molenschot.
Their son came to visit his mother and father in the bus shelter every day during the day, but stayed with grandmother in a senior apartment in Broekhoven. “We can’t stay there ourselves, but he couldn’t live and sleep here, of course.”
“It’s very special that complete strangers help you like that.”
Despite all the misery, Wendy and Nico are combative. “You have to, for your child. We are not giving up and hopefully it will eventually be okay.” They also appreciate all the help they received. “Wild strangers who help you with things, give you food, very special.”
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