From a dedicated driving instructor voluntarily teaching Belgian newcomers the rules of the road to a 70-year-old breaking a half marathon world record, there's plenty to make you smile this week. Here's The Brussels Times' weekly round-up of Belgian positive news stories to kickstart your weekend.
Today's positive pick
Having worked at a steel factory for 42 years, retired Eddy Timmermans from Kessel-Lo in Leuven now chooses to spend his free time teaching young people to drive, completely free of charge.
It all started with his own adopted son. A few years ago Eddy legally adopted a boy from Afghanistan and taught him how to drive. The son of his tenants then got in touch, as they were unable to afford lessons through a driving school. After that, Eddy received a message from a Syrian man on Facebook, who wanted to learn how to drive.
The requests kept coming. Last year, Eddy helped around 40 foreign nationals new to Belgium and this year he's already helped 22 people through their driving tests, with most passing first time.
Yayhe from Somalia (Left), Shayeq, the son of one of Eddy's tenants (Centre) and Ismaël from Palestine (Right). Credit: Eddy Timmermans
Most people come to Eddy after 20 hours of driving lessons for "more practice and to be guided through the exam," he told The Brussels Times.
His students come from across the globe: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Palestine, Eritrea, Somalia and Namibia, among other places. "I've had a lot of people in my car!" Eddy laughed.
He stays in contact with most of his students and sees them quite regularly. If they pass each other when out and about in the city of Leuven, they immediately suggest going for a coffee. "It's quite amazing that I mean so much to them," he says.
The professional advantage
Being able to drive is an increasingly important life skill required in many professions in Belgium and beyond. Yet, the number of people who obtained a driving licence last year fell sharply, as part of a growing downwards trend following the Covid-19 pandemic and the increased costs of insurance and maintaining a car.
Eddy hopes to change this by turning up at the driving test centre in Haasrode almost every week. He maintains that guiding people through getting their driving licence "helps them to get better jobs."
Eddy and his adopted son Wahid. Credit: Eddy Timmermans
Eddy's son Wahid, for example, who is now aged 25 and living in Antwerp, is working as a taxi driver. He was only able to get this job thanks to his adoptive father's support and guidance. Other students taught by Eddy last year were also learning to drive in the hopes of obtaining a better job.
"And that's why I'm doing it!" Eddy exclaims. "To please people and to help them, and I get a lot of friendship in return – I'd rather have a lot of friends than a lot of enemies! That's the most important thing for me. I want the chance to learn something about them."
Eddy enjoys building relationships with his pupils, gaining a better understanding of their different cultures and backgrounds: "When we go for a drive, we always talk about their country, why they came to the European Community, how they got here… We talk about a lot of things."
But for Eddy, the best part is when his students pass their driving test. "It makes me so happy and excited, it makes me smile every time. It makes my heart warm just to know I helped another one."
Other stories from this week to make you smile:
1. Let's get physical: The story of Brussels' Naked Bike Ride
Cyclists in Brussels are nothing out of the ordinary, but anyone out and about last Saturday might have stopped to stare at a rather less usual sight as some 200 cyclists cruised the capital's streets stark naked. Read more here.
2. Belgian sets a world record for half marathon at age 70
A 70-year-old Belgian runner, Eddy Vierendeels from Oetingen, set a world half marathon record on Friday in Flanders – an extraordinary achievement given that he only began running after the age of 50. Read more here.
3. STIB's Art Nouveau-inspired trams and metros awarded international prizes
The latest models of Brussels' trams and metros were recognised for their unique look during the 'Oscars of Design' on Monday night. Read more here.
4. Colourful migratory birds finding a home in sunny Flanders
Around 20 griffon vultures have been spotted in Flanders, a species which usually resides in the warm temperatures of Greece. Experts believe the migratory phenomenon could be explained by climate change. Read more here.
