When she steps into Amare s Concert Hall , she feels small for a moment among all the people. "Very cozy," she says later. "There were so many people, wonderful to see." The lights dim, the first sounds fill the room - and then it happens: "I got tears in my eyes. So beautiful to hear. You calm down mentally."

For the Quiet Foundation member, this is not an everyday experience. "I never used to go to concerts," she says. "Since I got an offer through Quiet, I started watching and listening. It's very interesting and I'm often surprised. Everyone is enthusiastic. When we come back, we tell each other what we experienced. I can enjoy the Residentie Orkest so much."

Quiet Foundation
The Quiet Foundation is committed to alleviating poverty in the Netherlands. They do this by building a community in which people living in poverty - the Quiet members - are supported with products, services and experiences offered by partners. Think of a day out, a dinner, or as here: a concert visit. Quiet wants to offer not only material help, but also moments of relaxation, fun and connection. Because poverty is more than an empty wallet; it is also about social exclusion and missing opportunities to participate. The Residentie Orkest is one of Quiet's partners.

Memories
The concert evokes memories. "It reminds me of the old days, of the time with my mother, of Suriname. Quiet feels like a first home. Everyone is kind. If there is an offering, I always go. It's nice to meet people and very interesting to discover new things."

Keep supporting
What would she like to give the Residentie Orkest ? "Keep supporting Quiet. It's so much fun! Some people have nothing to do, and this is an outing to relax and enjoy music. You forget your problems for a while and get into another world. That's important for people who have a little less to spend."

For her, music is more than a concert. It is a moment of peace, of beauty, of connection. "You come to rest spiritually," she says again. And that is exactly what makes this collaboration between Quiet and the Residentie Orkest so special: together they provide a little light in the lives of people who desperately need it.

The concert photos were taken by Foppe Schut.