When You Plant Hope, It Grows 🌱 A Volunteering Story from GumGum NL

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
In February, something truly meaningful happened in Amsterdam. A group of GumGummers from our NL team came together for a 3-day initiative that was less about giving back — and more about showing up.
Through the Spring Break School Project, we partnered with Youth Center DOCK Amsterdam, the City of Amsterdam, and Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience to create a hands-on, high-energy workshop for youth from underprivileged and refugee backgrounds. Many of them had never stepped into a creative workspace before — some were still learning the language. But for three days, they dove headfirst into the world of advertising: building campaigns, budgeting media plans, and pitching ideas with heart.
Together, we imagined what the future could look like. And by the end, they weren’t just participants — they were creators, storytellers, and team players.
💡 Real campaigns.
🤝   Real mentorship.
❤️   Real moments: boat rides, laughter, dancing, and awkward-but-hilarious jokes.

Perhaps most importantly, each of these young people left with a new sense of confidence, new tools for their future, and the feeling that they are seen, valued, and capable.

Huge shoutout to our amazing volunteers who poured their time, energy, and hearts into this project:
 Monika Smetkowska (Project Lead), Aleksander Czajka, Esmee Vedder, Laura Gonzaga, Lorraine Appiah-Danquah, Mara Biristeica, María Jesús Cáceres Cáceres, Nino Bavelaar, Oleksiy Gamaliy, Pia Elkoshairy, Pieter Van Gemert, Robyn Garrett, Tamas Kiss, Eric Sams, and Jeremy Pacome.
Some of them are even continuing as long-term mentors at DOCK

This is your sign if you ever feel the pull to do something meaningful outside the day-to-day. These moments remind us who we are and what we’re capable of together.

Sharing a few photos that capture the magic. Join us in celebrating these volunteers and the youth who inspired us all.