Looking out for each other and the world around us
For many people and businesses, 2020 proved to be a more challenging year than expected. A year in which difficult periods seemed to alternate with even more difficult periods, but it also turned out to be a year in which we gained an even greater appreciation for each other and the world around us. For example, here at Uniglobe Alliance Travel and goMICE, we took the initiative to dedicate ourselves weekly to social organisations and provide extra help to those in need. Every colleague has been given the freedom to use a number of hours weekly to do volunteer work or contribute to an organisation, charity, or social initiative.
Extra attention for the elderly – Project Manager, Nadia de Bruijn
I, Nadia de Bruijn – Project Manager at goMICE, have chosen to help an elderly lady walk her two dogs, Jack and Brise. Due to her ill health, she has been unable to take her faithful companions out herself for some time and therefore needs assistance. Together with a number of other volunteers, a schedule is drawn up each week to ensure the dogs get enough exercise.
On average, I help this lady walk Jack and Brise about twice a week. I myself had a Boerboel weighing around 55 kilos for a few years, so it took a little getting used to walking two small dogs at first. In the meantime, we're great pals and the little dogs are ecstatic every time I come to pick them up for a walk.
Besides the obvious necessity of walking the dogs, I've also noticed that the lady really enjoys having a chat and a cup of coffee together. Many, particularly single, elderly people struggle with loneliness. A visit makes their day more meaningful and their later years much more enjoyable. The immense gratitude the lady shows and expresses towards me is, of course, very valuable.
COVID Ward Support – Operations Manager, Eveline Repko
The paragraph below is taken from a published article by Omroep Zeeland. Click here to read the full article.
From booking business trips to providing care assistance. Eveline Repko, Operations Manager at Uniglobe Alliance Travel in Goes, occasionally helps out at the Coronavirus ward of a healthcare institution in her local area. In addition to answering the phone, Eveline provides care staff on the ward with all sorts of assistance. The busy healthcare institution is extremely pleased with the extra help and indicates that the hospitality Eveline normally requires for her work in the travel industry is proving very useful in healthcare.
Eveline's personal experience on the COVID ward:
Under the guise of necessity being the mother of invention, I lent a hand on the COVID care ward last week. Clad in protective clothing, which includes a plastic apron with sleeves, a hair net, a face mask, gloves, and safety glasses, I was allowed to enter the ward.
Here, the COVID patients are in individual rooms where they are cared for by healthcare professionals. It varies greatly from patient to patient; one is out of bed and has few complaints, while another is very ill in bed. But regardless, they no longer need hospital care. Some elderly patients are staying here simply to get through the contagious period and have (fortunately) few to no symptoms. The healthcare professionals were very happy with my help in preparing breakfasts because they primarily don't have the time for it.
After a morning on the COVID ward, I drive home with a very satisfied feeling to get back to work with the business travel requests.. “It's a completely different industry, of course, but I'm happy I can help in this way!” So said Eveline.
Children of the Food Bank Foundation – End of Year Appeal
For many people, Christmas means coziness, delicious food, and giving and receiving presents. Unfortunately, this is not a given for everyone in the Netherlands. Children of the Food Bank Foundation is committed to combating child poverty in the Netherlands and supports children with, for example, clothing packages, day trips, or birthday gifts. Of course, these children should not go without a lovely Christmas present during the festive season. That is why the teams at Uniglobe Alliance Travel and goMICE have jointly committed themselves to the Stichting Kinderen van de Voedselbank (Children of the Food Bank Foundation). All colleagues have purchased one or more gifts and wrapped them together with their own children. After collecting a large pile of beautifully wrapped presents, we handed them all over to our contact person at the Foundation. It was wonderful to hear her speak passionately about the value these gifts hold for the children and the heartwarming reactions from the families.
Let's continue to look out for each other during and especially after the Coronavirus crisis!
Team Uniglobe Alliance Travel & goMICE