Language buddy for asylum seeker's center resident
Avedan WelzijnFor the #Participate project we are looking for language buddies for residents of the Almelo asylum seekers' center. To speak Dutch,...
#Participate almelo
working together
The #Participate project brings asylum seekers and volunteer work together. Involving asylum seekers at an early stage in volunteer work helps them practice the language and build a social network and future in the Netherlands. This project allows them to do volunteer work and activities outside the asylum centre. For them, this means distraction in an often long waiting time, meaningful daytime activities, introduction to our society, the Dutch language and great contacts.
It's a win-win for everyone. For organizations it means; motivated volunteers, a more diverse volunteer base and the opportunity to connect people who would normally have met each other less quickly. For municipalities, it means a positive boost for the quality of life and social contacts among residents.
Clubs, organizations and institutions are cordially invited to propose activities, projects, events and jobs in which asylum seekers' center residents can participate. Consider, for example, activities in green areas, odd jobs at a sports club and support in the organization of events or volunteer work in healthcare.
Because the target group does not speak Dutch very well, not all tasks will be suitable. But that doesn't mean there aren't possibilities! Think of green maintenance, repair work, technical chores, management of spaces, walking buddies, serving coffee, preparing lunches or dinners and preparing/setting up activities.
The activities must be accessible and easy to implement and require little/no knowledge of the Dutch language. The work is done in small groups together with existing volunteers/employees. A job can be a one-off, but also recurring weekly, such as a coffee morning in a healthcare institution. Groups of residents of the asylum center can go here every week in varying compositions. They are guided by a trained volunteer from #Meedoen.
All the participation offers for residents are collected at a central location in the Almelo asylum centre, or the #Participation Desk. COA and Avedan work together to increase, broaden and perpetuate that offering by making agreements with local and/or social organizations and the municipality.
During the weekly walk-in consultation hours at the Almelo asylum seekers' center (Monday afternoon from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM) and at the Theaterhotel Almelo location (Monday afternoon from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM), residents can view the participation offer and register for a job and/or activity. The residents are then guided (where necessary) to the participation offer. This is done by volunteers/supporters of the project.
Painting shown here made by Azam Al Sharani
Since the start in 2021, we have collaborated with various organizations in Almelo such as: Stichting Present Almelo, Carintreggeland, riding school De Gravenruiters, Doepark de Hagen/Natuurhus, Taalpunt Almelo, Almelo Library and the many events in Almelo such as Almelo on Ice, Halloween Festival and Gelijkspel .
Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to enrich your volunteer organization with colorful and talented new faces!
12-04-23: Last summer they could be found at festivals. Just like many other young people. Yet Ahmed and Raman's situation was different: they were not there as visitors, but as volunteers. Through #Participate they do all kinds of volunteer jobs and also mobilize other residents of the asylum seekers' center to help.
01-01-23: A company that is looking for motivated staff and wants to give people opportunities. A municipality that dares to think out of the box. And a status holder who has done his best to participate in the Netherlands from day 1. It is the beautiful story of Ali Ihsan Kurekci from Turkey. After volunteering through the #Participate project, he got a permanent job at Betoncentrale Twenthe in Hengelo through the municipality of Losser.
15-06-21: He has now been in Twente for eight months, and he already speaks decent Dutch. And Ali Ihsan Kurekci (42) largely owes this to himself, because he really goes for integration. With volunteer work, and also by motivating other asylum seekers to really participate in our country. 'The Netherlands is good for refugees. We are supported with everything. Then you also have to give something back and integrate as quickly as possible," he says.
For the #Participate project we are looking for language buddies for residents of the Almelo asylum seekers' center. To speak Dutch,...
Are you handy around the house? And do you want to help tenants in Almelo reduce their (high) energy bills? Or would you like to lea...
Contact Annemarie Degger , #Participate Almelo coordinator
[email protected]
06 - 41 14 53 26