'The Wool Dyed' is the membership magazine of the PvdA Tilburg. In issue 6, summer 2012, the magazine paid attention to the Repair Cafe through an interview with founder and coordinator Roland Samuels. Unfortunately, not all of the text placed, hence here to read the full, uncensored text.
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Roland Samuels is a member of the PvdA Tilburg and one of the leaders of the Repair Cafe in Tilburg. Dyed in the wool asked him about the initiative and motivation to be. Socially active
What is the Repair Cafe?
The Repair Cafe is a citizens' initiative that started sometime in 2009 in Amsterdam and has since acquired. Nationwide fame Everywhere in Netherlands dives new Repair Cafes, so also in Tilburg. Even internationally, there is a lot of interest. (America, Germany, Israel and Belgium) Repair Cafe is an event that focuses on repairing and connecting. At the location where the Repair Cafe is held, is tools and equipment available to perform. Every possible repairs On clothing, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, dishes, utensils, toys, etc.. There is also expert assistance available, such as an electrician, a seamstress, a carpenter and a bicycle.
Visitors taking home broken things that otherwise would end up. Up in landfills In the Repair Cafe people go to work themselves. Possibly with expert help. Those who have nothing to repair, take a drink at the bar. Or will help in repairing someone else. Or does inspiration at the reading table where books on repairing and jobs are available for inspection. Thus the Repair Cafe ensures that people come into contact with each other to knowledge, experience, ideas, share humor. & Interests Overall a very nice 'social energy' project which we permanently try to connect. People from all cultures and generations together social &
Who do you do it?
The Repair Cafe 013 is for anyone who has to repair or together with each other will go to share. The old, become almost traditional knowledge of the fix to work Young and old, rich or poor anyone thinking here to make a contribution is welcome.
Why do you find it important to you to this process?
The current changes in the daily lives of people through the cuts, financial crisis and increasingly scarce raw materials requires alternatives. After 13 years of working in amazement as work supervisor at a recycling company I came to the conclusion that repair actually no longer in the system of people. While this knowledge is ever present in our society. I saw that the people grew tremendously as they often with fairly simple repairs could sometimes save the landfills. The stuff offered under expert supervision This stuff could this for years and came back through the thrift store again available for people who often buy a new product could not afford. This has driven me to work with our newly established Social Energy Foundation, where our citizens Repair Cafe 013 now belongs more to go this sustainable and social initiatives
starting. Easy DIY projects where people go to work, they learn from each other and come into contact with each other so that it creates a base where people will look to help and support each other to wear. Care for each other
What can political parties of the Repair Cafe Learning?
The policy would can learn from, people motivated when they are given the space itself to organize something done. Politicians, people may provide by facilitating, not cuddle every idea and claim the space. More We have to deal with a retreating government which citizens themselves and each designated more and more. Politicians do well to humble themselves to ask for people to have and to make a chance. Initiatives of people in the city are hard eye and ear on People want to do something, but not if they are getting frustrated by a government that only looks at costs and ignores social value.
Which people or organization in the city inspire you?
First, the tireless efforts of all our volunteers Repair Cafe 013, the already long disinterested inspired of Gerrit Poels, the enormous enthusiasm of our night mayor Godelieve Engbersen, the great humanitarian grounds of Port Agora, the critical independence Tilburgers.nl, the beautiful connections House in the World, the enthusiasm of Annemiek Hammers So Good So Nice, the rapidly changing society as Transition Towns.
What is your favorite place in Tilburg?
I have many favorite places in Tilburg, this actually vary from day to day. In nice weather while enjoying a good beer and good company on one of the terraces of our town or a brisk walk through the nature of our so beautiful green surroundings Tilburg. In bad weather a visit to one of our museums or cultural venues that also Tilburg is so richly endowed with.
