Earlier this month, a planned trip to the Efteling park for boys from the asylum seekers’ centre in Sint Annaparochie was abruptly cancelled. The trip opponents argued that taxpayer money should not be spent on “fun outings” for asylum seekers. An isolated incident at a fair last year—linked to youths who have since left—was cited as justification. The result? Dozens of boys were left behind. Disappointed, stigmatized, and excluded once again from something every child deserves: the simple joy of just being a child.
At People for People, we refused to let this happen. As an independent collective that connects urgent needs to real solutions—grounded in human connection, practical support, and inclusive action—we stepped in immediately. Together with the COA, we organized an alternative weekend at an external location within days. 61 boys participated in sports, games, and creative workshops—from graffiti and photography to football and kickboxing. Our aim was clear: genuine connection, building resilience, and creating a space where these young people are truly included—not sidelined.
Seen through a human lens, these youths face daily uncertainty about their future and live without family nearby. Now, they find themselves at the heart of a polarised political debate. Meanwhile, most of their lives unfold within the confines of the asylum seekers’ centre (AZC).
Critics dismiss such outings considering them a form of luxury, arguing resources could be better spent elsewhere. But the teachers, psychologists, and youth workers we collaborate with tell a different story: joy, engagement, and mental wellbeing are not extras. They are essential—especially for young people who have endured war, trauma, and separation.
Yet public debate about unaccompanied migrant children rarely focuses on their potential. It revolves around systems, costs, and policies. What’s missing is recognising opportunities these youths offer us. They are not “cases” but young people in a vulnerable yet powerful stage of life. Without support, their energy turns into frustration which spills over to their surrounding. With support, they can grow into valuable members of our society. It’s up to us which path we make possible.
We witnessed this clearly last weekend: the boy wearing a Lamine Yamal shirt, dreaming the same football dream; the youth effortlessly switching between three languages. Talented young people remind us of what’s possible and what society loses when we ignore them. We saw it in the laughter around the barbecue, the focus during kickboxing, and the dedication in the graffiti and photography workshops. These moments call for more effort, not less, to foster inclusion and build resilience.
Of course, one weekend is not enough. We’re talking about the mental health of a critical age group. That’s why People for People is developing a nationwide program focused on psychosocial support for unaccompanied migrant children in the Netherlands. Built on years of field experience—in over 80 AZCs—and in partnership with NGOs, mental health experts, and community organizations. Mental illness is one of the most serious, yet invisible, crises facing young people today—especially the displaced. Yet, support remains alarmingly scarce.
With a coalition of NGOs, municipalities, and mental health experts, we aim to bridge the gap by uniting existing resources into a coordinated, cost-effective, and scalable solution. Our entrepreneurial DNA helps us cut through complexity and connect the right people for lasting impact.
Time and time again, experts show that investing in understanding and connection pays off—for them and for all of us. The question is not whether we can afford to invest in these young people. The question is: can we afford not to?
We only see the full picture when we look beyond the burden and recognise the opportunity these youngsters represent.
One of our volunteers—a former young asylum seeker himself—put it poignantly: “Don’t forget Lamine Yamal. He had a migration background too.” It made me think: do we truly grasp how much talent we are letting slip away?
Last week we marked the European Mental Health week. A timely reminder that how we treat these young people—whether we truly see them, include them, and offer them a future—will shape not only their destiny but ours as well.
