As the month of June has come to an end, we reflect on our activities of the past month.
Here’s a summary of our initiatives:
- Glimpse of our rolling aid events
- Beekbergen Rolling Aid event
- Location visits and drop-offs (De Meern, Zelhem, and Vierhouten)
- Day of the Migration Chain 2023
- Night of the Refugee
- Emergency Call: Unaccompanied Minors in Crisis
- World Refugee Day
- Fundraising through Cultural Cookery
- Dam tot Damloop sign-up
- Football match at De Grolsch Veste stadium
- Looking forward to our upcoming events
Glimpse of our rolling aid events
At People for People, we understand that unaccompanied minors who arrive in the Netherlands have left their homes behind and embarked on a long journey in search of safety, care, and a chance to simply be kids again. 🕊️
Through our Rolling Aid events, we gather these children for a day filled with bonding sessions, workshops, sports, and creative activities. By fostering local connections and collaborations, we aim to create a lasting impact that goes beyond a single event. Our ultimate goal is to empower and uplift these young individuals, making a meaningful difference in their lives.
We’re thrilled to share a captivating video that captures the essence of our Rolling Aid events. This footage, filmed during our recent event in Baarn, showcases how these special days break the monotony for unaccompanied minors. 📽️
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Team Lewis for their invaluable contributions and a special shout-out to Max and Shileen for their presence at the Baarn Rolling Aid event and their exceptional footage of the day. 🙌
Beekbergen Rolling Aid and upcoming events
On June 1st, we held a Rolling Aid event in Beekbergen, a family-oriented location that is home to 150 residents, including 61 children. 🌟 During our site visit prior to the event, we were inspired by a clothing shop run by a family residing in the reception centre. This shop, which was initiated by COA members, not only provides clothing to the residents but also represents empowerment and independence within the community. 💪 Motivated by this, we decided to take action and support the shop. Hence, we contributed an abundance of clothing items, such as shirts, shorts, long sleeves, boxer shorts, socks, and shoes, to enhance their offerings. 🎁
Additionally, we donated children’s toys, books, puzzles, knitting materials, and six laptops generously provided by our partner. These laptops will establish an Open Learning Centre, empowering residents to learn and study online. 💻
Unloading the supplies from the van
During the Rolling Aid event, we organized various activities, including sports and creative workshops. Thanks to Amazon’s cookie decorating supplies 🍪 and KarTent‘s cardboard playhouses 🏠, the children had the opportunity to engage in joyful and creative experiences. 🎨
Children and unaccompanied minors are joyfully engaged in different activities, such as decorating cookies and playing in cardboard houses.
Location visit and drop-off to COA location De Meern, Zelhem, and Vierhouten
Last month, we visited multiple emergency locations and made essential donations. 📦 On June 7th, our team members, Tom and Roderick, visited the COA location in De Meern. 🏢 This facility caters to 20 AMV’ers who require special attention and care due to their unique circumstances. During our visit, we donated school bags filled with essential items to bring joy to the children at the location.
Moreover, in response to a message from COA Vierhouten regarding an urgent basic need at the location, our team took immediate action. We assembled essential items including new shoes, clothes, soap, hand gel, and fresh boxers to provide crucial support and assist the COA in addressing this pressing matter. 👟 Shortly thereafter, Jamal from COA arrived to collect the donated items, expressing his deep appreciation for the work we are doing. 🙌🏼 Moments like these serve as a powerful reminder of the impact that timely assistance can have on individuals and communities in need.
Additionally, we received a call from the Zelhem location, where we organized a Rolling Aid event back in January. They informed us that 35 new children had arrived that week and were scheduled to start school the following week. However, there was a shortage of school supplies.
In response, our volunteers came quickly to the office and filled school bags with the essential items. The location was helpful in collecting the school bags from our warehouse on the day before the children started their new school.
This gesture aimed to equip and support the new boys as they begin their journey in the Netherlands, ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive in their new environment. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Action for their generous donation, which made it possible for us to provide assistance to those in need.🎒
Day of the Migration Chain 2023
Dag van de Migratieketen 2023,” or “Day of the Migration Chain 2023,” took place at the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht. The event commenced with an introductory interview featuring Secretary of State Eric van der Burg, followed by a captivating theater play by Ilay den Boer, where he shared his experiences working for the COA, IND, and the Court.
One of our team members, Tom, attended this event. He found it to be an enlightening day for gaining insights into the individuals involved in the asylum process and understanding both the vital work they undertake and the challenges they face due to limited resources and the increasing number of immigrants entering the Netherlands.
Throughout the day, there were various workshops featuring representatives from the Government Ministry and UN organizations like the IOM. “It was an inspiring experience, and it is essential for organizations like People for People, who work closely with the COA, refugees, and emergency shelter locations, to be present at such events where the industry unites to learn from one another,” Tom expressed.
The Day of the Migration Chain 2023 was a valuable opportunity to gain knowledge, build connections, and contribute to the collective efforts in the migration field.
Night of the Refugee
On the night of June 17th, our volunteers Eluna and Amer embarked on a remarkable journey, walking 40 km to raise funds and awareness for individuals worldwide who are seeking refuge. 🚶♀️🚶♂️
Eluna’s decision to take on this challenge served as an inspiration to Amer, who intimately understands the hardships faced by asylum seekers, as he is currently navigating the process himself. 🌟
Reflecting on the experience, Amer shares, “It was an incredible adventure with a fantastic atmosphere, a large number of participants, and the opportunity to meet many new people. This unforgettable experience has left a lasting impression on me, and I’m definitely looking forward to participating again next year.” 🙌
Amer explains that the walk took approximately 10 hours, with a well-deserved break in between for them to rest and grab a small bite to eat. It is truly inspiring to witness Eluna’s initiative, as she successfully garnered over €1000 in donations and walked side by side with Amer in support of individuals seeking refuge. 💪
Their efforts serve as a beacon of hope for those in need, and we are immensely proud of their dedication and commitment to making a difference.
Emergency Call: Unaccompanied Minors in Crisis
Amidst the current crisis, unaccompanied minors and youth in the Netherlands face a dire situation with the looming possibility of being left without a bed, protection, and guidance. 🛏
Recognizing this urgent issue, we, alongside other organizations, endorse the call to action to prevent this distressing scenario from unfolding this summer. The Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers (COA) together with Nidos – Jeugdbescherming – guardianship for unaccompanied minors – appeal urgently to municipalities to accelerate the provision of accommodation for unaccompanied minors.
The demand for beds exceeds the available capacity, with nearly every bed for unaccompanied minors and youth up to the age of 17 occupied. Without swift action, there is a substantial risk that a significant number of vulnerable children and young people will be left stranded during the summer of 2023. We implore municipalities to prioritize the timely housing and support of these individuals, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Join us in standing up against this injustice. Let’s unite to prevent a repeat of last summer’s plight, where children were forced to sleep on plastic chairs or even endure homelessness. 💔 Together, we can make a difference. You can read more about the current situation on AD and RTLNieuws.
World Refugee Day
On World Refugee Day, we honored Abod and Saleh, two remarkable boys who embarked on a challenging journey in search of peace. Their courage and unwavering resilience deeply moved us, and we were inspired by their commitment to volunteering and bringing joy to others who have experienced similar struggles. 🌍
It is crucial to acknowledge that each refugee’s story is unique, representing the rich diversity within their community. The label “refugee” often fails to capture the complex historical, social, political, and cultural contexts that led to their forced migration. We are dedicated to breaking down these barriers and emphasizing the humanity and individuality of every person we encounter. 🌟
Additionally, we were incredibly fortunate to receive seven Business Club tickets from Ziggo Dome for the Maroon 5 concert. We attended the concert alongside our volunteer team, who were filled with excitement as, for some, it was their first time attending such an event. While some members of the team were already familiar with the band and enthusiastically sang along to every song, others were introduced to Maroon 5’s music for the first time. Nonetheless, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the concert, and it became an unforgettable experience that brought us closer as a community, creating lasting memories. We would like to express our gratitude to Ziggo Dome for providing us with this wonderful opportunity. 🎶
Fundraising
The Cultural Cookery team from International Campus Utrecht (UCU) recently organized an inspiring event aimed at making a positive impact. This dedicated team of seven passionate students, driven by their love for food and desire to contribute, embarked on a journey to raise funds for local foundations.
On June 17-18 and June 24-25, they hosted a successful pop-up restaurant with the mission of raising funds for People for People.
We were delighted to witness such an independent initiative, where individuals came together to contribute to our foundation. It is heartwarming to see people finding creative ways to support our cause.
Thank you to the Cultural Cookery team and everyone who participated in this event. ❤️
Dam tot Damloop
On September 17th, People for People will participate in the 16-Kilometer Dam tot Damloop to support asylum seekers in the Netherlands! Join People for People, lace up your running shoes, and gather your team for a fun and meaningful challenge outside the office. Each team member will receive a red People for People t-shirt to wear during the race, symbolizing unity and our commitment to making a visible impact. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
We’re excited to have Messagebird as our partner organization, running alongside us to raise funds for asylum seekers. Marleen from Messagebird shares our belief in the direct, immediate impact of People for People. Together, we can make a difference and support those who need it most. 🌟
We welcome all companies to participate in this event and contribute to the cause. Join us on September 17th and be part of the positive change. For more information, please reach out to info@peopleforpeople.com. Let’s run together for a better tomorrow! 💪
Football match at De Grolsch Veste stadium
Thanks to the support of the UEFA Foundation for Children, the Cruyff Foundation was able to secure several tickets for unaccompanied minors to attend the national league games. On Thursday, the 15th, at De Grolsch Veste stadium, they kindly extended an invitation to us. Without hesitation, People for People organized to join this match together with 15 enthusiastic unaccompanied minors from Wierden to watch Italy vs. Spain. Together, they embraced the excitement of supporting their favorite teams and experienced pure joy in the midst of the game. ⚽
Unaccompanied minors experience a football match at De Grolsch Veste Stadium
Looking forward to our upcoming events
Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that we have initiated the planning process for our upcoming full-day summer Rolling Aid events. The first event will take place in July in Oosterhout, followed by the second event in August in Arnhem. Lastly, in September, we will organize an event in Wierden, all dedicated to unaccompanied minors. 🌞
Our goal is to connect emergency reception centres with the local community, creating a lasting impact and fostering community and connection between unaccompanied minors and local residents. ❤️
If you are interested in joining us on this rewarding journey of supporting asylum seekers in the Netherlands, we invite you to explore our website. There, you will find information on how you can contribute and become an integral part of the vibrant and supportive community we aim to create together. 🙏
Let’s make a difference and bring hope to those in need. Join us today! 💪
