At a shelter in Lochem, the COA is working hard to create moments of connection and community both amongst the 65 kids residing there and with local residents.
In these times of division, they’ve opened their doors and welcomed neighbors to come visit the shelter and the kids on various ‘Open Days.’ As a result, they’ve been able to foster a sense of community. Residents are helping the COA care for these kids.
Nemroud, who works for the COA, explained: “We had some people who had a lot of questions so we spoke to the Gemeente and said, ‘Why don’t we invite them?’ That way we can answer their questions and show them what we’re doing here.”
Everyone in the neighborhood is welcome for a day of connection and activities. Some of the children also prepare food. This is a skill they picked up during the various activities the COA offers. One of them is helping the chef cook, including some dishes from their home countries like sambusa from Somalia, kepsa from Yemen, and a Syrian dish of stuffed grape leaves.
“They love it, they love to try new things. We’re always trying to find a way to give a good feeling,” Nemroud says.
During the visits, the residents can share these meals with the kids and just talk and get to know them. “Everyone has their own story,” Nemroud says of the boys.
“A lot of people don’t know what to expect. They don’t know ‘what refugees are like.’ Then they get to know these kids in person and their opinion of them changes. They’re always positive after this day.”
The location now has a lot of residents coming to volunteer at the shelter helping the boys in any way they can. One woman comes once a week to help the boys with their Dutch lessons and always has a circle of students around her eager to practice and learn. Another local man comes once a week to repair the kids’ bikes, then he stays for dinner and chats with everyone.
And the boys are just as curious about their new neighbors. As Nemroud explains, twelve of the boys are now playing in a local football club with other Dutch children their age, which helps them to make friends and gives them a chance to practice their athletic and Dutch skills at the same time. “You can see they’re eager to make connections,” he says.
Out of all the activities they have for the boys, sports is by far the most popular. But these winter days have kept them indoors more and more.
“They like to go for exercise. We have a sports counselor who does volleyball and soccer every day, they love to do it but you can see when it’s raining outside they don’t have the motivation because it’s too cold for them.”
Luckily they have an indoor gym not too far, but the cycle to school is 40 min away which, without proper clothing can be extremely cold and icy this time of year.
“When they come to the Netherlands they don’t have a lot of clothes. They need to be warm and going to school by bike is very important for them. Some of the kids didn’t even have a sweater — they only had a t-shirt.”
When we drove our red People for People van to Lochem, one of the stops on our Winter Tour of the Netherlands, we brought sweaters, long-sleeved thermal shirts, gloves, and some Sinterklaas presents to bring some extra joy and warmth.
“The boys were very excited to get the gifts!” Nemroud says. While unaccompanied minors in many parts of the country have sadly not been welcomed with open arms, we’re so grateful to come across stories like Lochem, where the local community has come together to embrace these boys and show that there are people who are on their side.
We also see this first-hand at our Rolling Aid Events. At first, people don’t know what to expect. But when we invite neighbors, local sports clubs and other communities, it’s indescribable what you see happening. True friendships, bonds, and connections are made that continue to grow stronger into the future. All you need is someone to open the door.
