'Pouring Coffee & Attention'. This play on words tells in three words what Harm Messink (39) intends to do with De Koffiebus. It will be located on the Euterpeplein.

Next Saturday, on National Neighborhood Day, and every Friday thereafter, he will be on the square with it. His wish of many years is thus fulfilled: to mean something for the inhabitants of Randenbroek and Schuilenburg. "We serve excellent coffee and sincere attention," he says.

He deliberately says "we. "I can only do this thanks to a lot of volunteers. Currently I have a pool of no less than fifty people who support me. They help me with making coffee, cakes and pastries, driving the bus, maintaining the bus and engaging in conversation with visitors. I would also like to mention the Eibergen family from Hoogland, with whom I can store the bus."

The bus was built in the 1990s as a 9.73-meter-long camper and comes from America. Messink picked it up last year in North Brabant. With help from a sponsor, he was able to purchase the bus. "Originally, my idea was to find a building in the neighborhood to serve coffee there on a weekly basis," he says. "But I didn't find that. Then I came up with the idea of a bus."

Sitting area
The bus was thoroughly refurbished by Johan Schmohl (45) and his son Cilvan (11) and painted by a generous sponsor. Schmohl has worked on the bus almost every Saturday since January and almost every day for the last few weeks. In the back of the vehicle, he has carpentered a seating area out of wood. "For people who want a personal conversation," Messink explains.

As a resident of the Randenbroek district, Messink feels connected to his neighborhood. He sees opportunities for more connection and meeting in the neighborhood. "A study by the municipality, the Stadsgebiedsscan, showed that there is little social cohesion in Randenbroek and Schuilenburg. I notice that myself. There is a lot of loneliness; as many as 40 percent of the 11,000 neighborhood residents are single."

Outdoor Terrace
Three years ago, Messink suggested at a residents' meeting in the neighborhood that there should be a drop-in center or something similar. "Coincidentally, another resident, Marjan Dekker, also came up with that. There should be a place where people can meet in a relaxed atmosphere with a cup of coffee. As accessible as possible," he says. "Although with a bus that's literally not quite doable. But we'll also make a terrace outside when the weather is dry."

Providing hospitality and companionship is Messink's priority. "People shouldn't think that we want to talk to them right away about their difficulties," he says. "We're open to it, but it has to happen I an atmosphere of trust. I've put up a screen in the bus with information about other neighborhood initiatives like Neighborhood Help, New Yards, the Clock House, etcetera. In that way, I want to form a kind of social tourist office." He can also point people to professional help. "I hope that the Coffee Bus will lower the threshold for seeking help.

For Messink, a dream is coming true. "I was in the commercial business, but that was not something that made me happy. This is a classic example of someone following their heart. I'm very grateful to all the people who are helping my dream come true."

He is now employed by the De Koffiebus foundation for 16 hours a week. The bus came about thanks to a large donation from De Kandelelaar and other churches. A contribution has also been received from the congregation. Messink also wants to get Friends of the Coffee Bus off the ground, a network of sympathizers who with a financial contribution keep the initiative going.

More information:
www.dekoffiebus.org