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Humans of Warm Hearts - Episode 1 - Hanin


Hanin had just arrived in Amsterdam and was searching for something meaningful to fill her time, something fun, a chance to meet new people, learn new skills, and hopefully find a sense of community.


Through a volunteer coordinator who supports newcomers in finding opportunities in the city, she was introduced to Warm Hearts Sauna, a floating, volunteer-driven space where people come together not only for warmth, but for connection, kindness, and shared experience. Surprisingly, sauna had never really been her thing, she had never even tried it before. But something about it sparked her curiosity, and she decided to try.


Her first day was not easy. “I felt overwhelmed,” she admits. As someone naturally introverted and calm, walking into a space filled with new people and energy felt like too much. At one point, she even thought she might not come back, yet something made her stay.


What stood out wasn’t the noise or the crowd, it was the way people treated each other. There was a quiet respect in the space, a sensitivity to everyone’s boundaries and needs. That feeling slowly shifted something in her. Instead of leaving, she decided to give it another chance.


That decision changed everything. What began as uncertainty turned into a positive experience that helped her grow more confident in navigating life in a new country. She discovered that connection doesn’t depend on where you come from. In a city as diverse as Amsterdam, there are spaces where differences don’t isolate you, they bring people together. She met people from different international backgrounds, built new relationships, and began to feel part of a community


What makes Warm Hearts unique for Hanin, her answer is simple but powerful: respect and openness: “It’s a place where everyone wants to keep this alive,” she says. There’s a shared sense of care not just for the sauna itself, but for the people within it. Everyone contributes, everyone belongs, and everyone plays a role in sustaining that feeling.

Hanin also discovered new sides of herself through her time there. She found joy and peace in skippering, something she now wants to do more often. Being out in nature, combined with the rhythm of the experience, gives her a sense of calm she hadn’t expected.


At the same time, Hanin joined the fundraising team, where she began developing skills she hadn’t had much experience with before, such as teamwork, brainstorming, and navigating different opinions. It became her first real insight into how organizations function, not just structurally, but socially, something she believes will help her later when she enters the job market.


When asked what she would say to someone unsure about volunteering, her answer reflects her own journey:


At first, she wasn’t sure either. It felt unfamiliar, even intimidating. But now, she would simply say give it a chance. Because in the end, what defines a place is not the activity, but the people.


Written by Mai (one of our volunteers ❤️‍🔥)

Video shot by Teemu, edited by Gönül



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