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These Amsterdam’s ex-homeless people are retrained as City tour guides

2 min read

Better Society
Source: BrightVibes

This tour provides tourists with a unique perspective of the Dutch capital

A unique tour

Amsterdam Underground organises tours in and around the Red Light District by ex-homeless people who, as a result of their former situation, have a unique outlook on the city and its more grim parts.

Amsterdam Underground Watch how these ex-homeless guides provide tourists in Amsterdam with a unique perspective. Source: Facebook BrightVibes

Stories from the Streets

The guides show people the parts of Amsterdam you normally wont find when going on a city trip. There’s a lot more to the city than most tours lead you to believe. 

With Amsterdam underground, there’s a personal aspect to the tour. The guides tell their personal stories about life on the streets and how they’ve overcome struggles. The more grim parts of Amsterdam and its history aren’t left out on this tour. 

Amsterdam Underground is a cooperative. The guides are all owners and earn their income with their work. The guides often had to live as homeless and deal with the consequences of substance use. In these difficult circumstances, they have developed knowledge and skills that they now use positively while guiding the city walks. Through their own experiences, the guides give an insight into the lives of people with a bit different life path. The walk provides more understanding for (ex) addicts and fights the stigma that they experience on a daily basis. The work as a guide contributes to self-confidence, self-esteem, and increasing self-reliance.
Cooperative Amsterdam Underground is a cooperative. The guides are all owners and earn their income with their work. The guides often had to live as homeless and deal with the consequences of substance use. In these difficult circumstances, they have developed knowledge and skills that they now use positively while guiding the city walks. Through their own experiences, the guides give an insight into the lives of people with a bit different life path. The walk provides more understanding for (ex) addicts and fights the stigma that they experience on a daily basis. The work as a guide contributes to self-confidence, self-esteem, and increasing self-reliance. Source: Amsterdam Underground
Source: Amsterdam Underground

Non-profit tours

Amsterdam Underground is the only non-profit provider of guided tours offered by formerly homeless people in Amsterdam. All their guides are offered a useful day project and a small compensation. The income from this project is used to make other projects are possible.

It is part of the Rainbow group, which was funded almost forty years ago, when pastor Wouters started looking after addicted homeless youth in the Vondelpark. Now, they’re Amsterdam’s most prominent volunteer organisation that cares for the weakest of our society.

Make an Impact

Book a tour

Visit the website of Amsterdam Underground for more information and, if you're in the neighborhood: book a tour for a unique view of the city of Amsterdam.