At shelters across the Netherlands, dedicated COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers) workers step into the roles of caregivers for children who have traveled thousands of kilometers alone. These kids, many of whom arrived by foot or boat, come to the Netherlands seeking safety, peace, and the hope of a brighter future.
But as winter draws near, their parents aren’t here to make sure they dress warmly, tend to them when they catch a cold or just tell them everything will be ok.
A cold reality for unaccompanied minors
For Cornie de Graaf, a COA worker at a shelter in Leusden for 80 unaccompanied boys aged 15 to 17, the arrival of winter has brought new worries. “Some boys don’t have jackets, sweaters, or even enough clothing to make it through the week,” she explains. “A lot of times, they pile on every layer they own to stay warm, but it’s still not enough. Watching a boy shiver from the cold, knowing there’s little we can do, is heartbreaking.”
As temperatures drop, de Graaf notices the impact on the boys’ well-being. When they can’t spend time outside, their spirits seem to fall. “If they are inside the whole week, you can see in their faces how depressed they can get.” They’re far from home, and the cold only makes that distance feel greater.
Facing winter for the first time
Some boys from warm countries, like Ethiopia and Eritrea, have never experienced this type of weather before.
“Sometimes I walk with them to the laundry and they say, ‘Oh it’s very cold.’ And I tell them, ‘this isn’t that cold. It will get colder and maybe even snow.’ And they ask me what that looks like, de Graaf says.
“I don’t know if they’re excited that it’s getting colder but maybe they will enjoy it if they can keep warm. The boys who have been here for longer love the snow because they get the chance to have a snowball fight with the COA,” she said laughing.
Challenges of limited resources
A recent fire at the shelter complicated matters even further. While no one was hurt, smoke and water damage meant that some of the boys had to relocate temporarily and they were not able to access their storage room, where extra clothing and essentials are kept. Without sufficient winter supplies and the shelter’s usual resources, the staff faced even greater challenges.
“Some shelter locations are lucky and have connections with companies that donate clothing, but we don’t have those,” de Graaf explains. “We had to get creative, and thankfully, some people stepped up to help.”
People for People answered the call providing winter jackets, gloves, shoes, socks, and basics like underwear and socks for all 80 kids.
“When the boxes arrived, some of the boys excitedly came to help unload the boxes and put them in the storage room. Others were watching through the windows, smiling. They knew they were going to get something that would help them.”
Overcoming social challenges and stereotypes
While support from some organizations and volunteers has been heartwarming, de Graaf notes that not everyone is eager to help. “Some people say to them: ‘You don’t have clothes but you have a phone?’ For them, having a phone is even more important because it’s their way to keep in touch with family and sometimes send money to them. If I was one of the boys, and I had to choose between clothes and a phone, I would choose a phone as well because family is everything. I always think, they have to choose something. Will they choose themselves or their family?”
Despite the challenges they face, de Graaf is quick to point out the boys’ kindness and respect. “They help each other, and they even help others. One boy found a phone on the street and brought it to me. We tracked down the owner, and it made his day.” Stories like this show the kindness and integrity of these young people, qualities often overlooked in public narratives.
🌟You can help bring warmth this winter
These boys have endured difficult journeys to find a safe place to call home. But as winter settles in, they need more than shelter—they need warmth and community. Join us in our mission to provide winter clothing for 1,600 children across the Netherlands.
Find out how your organization can help by filling out the form here. Together, we can ensure these kids feel the warmth and welcome they deserve.
