The cleaning duo of Waarborg
Every day they roll their cart through the corridors of the Peizerstate, the Mediacentrale or the Sylviuslaan; Anneke and Aileen together form the cleaning duo of Waarborg Vastgoed. With their good mood and job satisfaction, they are an indispensable part of the buildings of Waarborg. Mother and daughter get up every morning around half past four to be on time for work. I drink a cup of coffee with them in brasserie WAAR and listen to their story. It becomes a conversation that radiates pleasure, pride and loyalty.
What you learn as a youngster, you'll do when you're older
You could say that Aileen was born with cleaning in her blood. So it's not surprising that years later she herself is in the cleaning business. She says: "As a little girl, I often went with my mother after school. At the time, she worked in the Binnenhof café in Groningen. There I loved practicing dance moves in front of the large mirrors of the café, while my mother cleaned the café."
When Aileen grew older, she stayed by her mother's side. "Years later, my mother started working for Boelens Jorritsma, where she was responsible for cleaning the offices of the Peizerstate. I helped her and had my part-time job that way." When Waarborg Vastgoed bought the building on the Peizerweg, Anneke and Aileen also went along. "Waarborg became a customer of Argo. The Peizerstate was the first building we cleaned for Waarborg. René was so satisfied with us that we were soon asked to take on the cleaning work in the Mediacentrale as well," says Anneke.
Popular
In the Mediacentrale, they now not only clean the common areas, but they have also been asked by a number of residents to clean offices. “The contact with the residents of the buildings is great. The cleaning itself eventually becomes a habit, but it is precisely the contact with the people that makes our work so great. Because we are there several times a week, you really get to know people,” says Anneke proudly. “That ensures that you build a bond with the people; we know most of them by name and have a chat here and there.” They are therefore approached by various companies with the request to clean for them as well. Anneke laughs: “We do that with pleasure. In fact, we will soon have room in our agenda for new offices, because one of our other customers is closing.”
Meet celebrities
It's not just the residents that make the job so much fun; Anneke and Aileen have met several special guests during their time at Waarborg. From Prime Minister Rutte to Frans Bauer and Jan Smit. "That's really special. Especially when Prime Minister Rutte came by. Of course, everything had to be spotlessly clean and well, that's what we were responsible for. I was a bit nervous then," Anneke grins. "We shook his hand and René told us about our role within the Media Center. Well, then you glow with pride! Another celebrity we've met a few times is Frans Bauer, such a great guy. He's been here several times and the last time he even recognized us. Isn't that great?!"
Responsible working
Although Anneke and Aileen both have years of experience, they can still learn more in their field. For example, Aileen says: “We are currently taking a course, for which we will soon have to take an exam. We are learning how to do our work responsibly without putting too much strain on our bodies. After all, we are physically active all day long. If you adopt the wrong posture, it can have major consequences for your back, neck and shoulders.”
Family
Where many mothers and daughters would fight if they had to work together on a daily basis, Anneke and Aileen don't have that problem at all. "Of course we don't always agree, but we never argue." And that's a good thing, because in addition to working together, the two also live together. "Eventually I want my own house," says Aileen, "but that's quite expensive to pay for on your own. And I'm still young!" When asked whether she will always work in the cleaning profession, Aileen answers that she is not sure. "I would like to do a sports education. I love doing sports and I would like to help other people as a fitness instructor. But for now I'm fine and I still really enjoy my work."
Not only do the ladies feel at ease with each other, the people at Waarborg also make the work fun. “Although we are officially employees of Argo, we are fully accepted into the Waarborg family. The people at Waarborg are like our own colleagues,” says Anneke. “There is no one who looks down on you and everyone is always up for a chat or a joke and a prank.”
Grateful and enthusiastic
The enthusiasm, the obvious pleasure and the gratitude of Anneke and Aileen touch me. Many an office clerk may be jealous of the work pleasure of these ladies.
A few weeks later I get a message from Anneke: “Aileen and I passed!” These ladies are really motivated to the bone to do their job well, that much is clear! If you are looking for a good and cheerful cleaning duo to keep your office spotless, we recommend that you contact Argo and hire Anneke and Aileen. That way you will not only get super enthusiastic and diligent cleaners in your home, but also very skilled and certified ladies.
