For three years now, Pieter has been spending his nights under a tree in Wantijpark, Dordrecht, South Holland. His story is not just about homelessness—it’s about resilience and the ability to stay composed when life throws new challenges your way. Last year brought a glimmer of hope: his friend Jacqueline invited him to stay at her place, and Pieter truly expected to spend Christmas warm, indoors. But plans had to be postponed again—the house renovations took longer than expected, and the move was rescheduled for late January.
Pieter doesn’t complain. He says he’s gotten used to spending nights outside, though sometimes he has to sleep on a bench if his usual spot is taken. There are times he’s left without a blanket or even a sleeping bag. “It’s not ideal, but sometimes the weather is kind—not too cold,” he admits. Yet the thought of home comforts lingers: the chance to take a shower, sleep in a real bed, feel safe—that’s almost a fairy tale for him.
A Park Encounter
Pieter met Jacqueline thanks to her dog, Senna. Their shared love of animals helped him connect with Jacqueline, who gets around in an electric wheelchair after an accident. Jacqueline didn’t hesitate—if she could help, why not? She hopes Pieter will lend a hand around the house, walk the dog, cook, and do small chores. For Pieter, this isn’t just a chance to have a roof over his head, but also to feel needed.
The move was almost a reality: just this summer, he was enthusiastically telling everyone that he would be moving in with Jacqueline in November. But the renovations dragged on, and now he has to wait until the end of January. “It’s a shame, of course,” says Peter. “I was already picturing how everything would change by Christmas: a daily shower, a real bed, my own room, warmth and quiet. I was counting the days since summer.”
Life on the street
Peter is originally from Gorcum, also in the Netherlands. He came to Dordrecht in 2010, at a time when he was grieving the loss of his mother. After that, he says, everything started to go wrong. He had a close relationship with his mother, especially during the holidays: “My mom loved Christmas, we always had family dinners,” he recalls. Now those memories keep him warm through cold nights.
Even when the temperature drops below zero, Peter doesn’t give up. He says the main thing is having warm clothes, which he recently managed to get from an aid center. Sometimes he manages only a couple of hours of sleep if the park is noisy. But he keeps his composure and doesn’t complain about his fate.
New hopes
Peter isn’t just waiting for the move—he’s making plans for the future. He already knows what he’ll do in the new house: help Jacqueline and her husband Eric, and cook his favorite dishes, like pork belly with spiced potatoes. “Jacqueline loves my cooking, and I’m happy to cook for them,” he says.
Last year was tough for Peter, but he tries to stay optimistic about the future. He recently found a job, but underestimated the workload: night shifts from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. proved too exhausting, especially when he also had to help Jacqueline during the day. In the end, he had to quit, but he isn’t giving up and plans to turn to social services to find a job that suits him.
The Test of Waiting
Peter doesn’t hide his disappointment—he had hoped this winter would be different. Yet, even in these circumstances, he hasn’t lost faith in change. His story is a reminder that even in the most difficult situations, you can maintain your dignity and hold on to hope. And the wait may soon be over—perhaps in just a month, his life will change.
