Guy Caers, retired for 16 years, is an active volunteer in Mol. Besides assisting in the local community center's cafeteria and with activities at 't Getouw, he enthusiastically dedicates his time to cycling lessons for adults. He considers this his most enjoyable volunteer work, as he himself loves cycling and covers more kilometers by bike annually than by car.
Since the cycling lessons for adults began, Guy has been helping individuals who have sometimes never been on a bicycle before. He explains that some participants know traffic rules from driving but have never cycled. For some, it takes only 2 or 3 lessons to find their balance, while others require more time. The volunteers encourage them, and those not yet ready can participate again the following year.
Guy observes how the cycling lessons transform the daily lives of participants, granting them more freedom and enabling them, for instance, to cycle from Rauw or Wezel to the town center. He also values the interaction with people from diverse cultures, learning about their lives in their home countries.
The gratitude of the participants brings Guy the most satisfaction, especially the moment someone cycles away independently for the first time. One participant, after learning to cycle himself, later became a volunteer as an interpreter for those with limited Dutch. Guy still keeps in touch and helps him with other matters. He finds the most rewarding aspect of his work when participants greet him or stop for a chat later on.
According to Guy, one doesn't need to be particularly athletic to help with the cycling lessons; it's mainly about guiding, encouraging, and assisting participants in learning to cycle independently. He encourages those who are hesitant to definitely give it a try. Volunteer work can take many forms and doesn't need to consume much time to make a difference. Interested individuals can explore volunteer vacancies to find a suitable commitment.
