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No child should have to fight – or go to court – just to go to school
Inspiration
Empowering youth to succeed: The work of De Combibrug
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Marjolein van Zanten
Director of De Combibrug
Three years ago, Yousef arrived in the Netherlands as an unaccompanied minor – alone, uncertain, and unfamiliar with the Dutch language and school system. At the same time, De Combibrug launched its Empower programme to support refugee youth entering education.
From his very first days, Empower gave Yousef a structured routine, social connections, and the confidence to join the International Transition Class (ISK). The support didn’t stop there: De Combibrug guided him into vocational training (MBO) and later into the workforce.
Today, Yousef is a full-time trainer at De Combibrug. He now stands on the other side – supporting newcomer children, sharing his own story, and showing them that they too can succeed.
Holding their hands, and not letting go
For refugee youth, going to school requires more than learning Dutch or navigating paperwork. It means adjusting to a new culture, developing trust, and finding the courage to build a future.
De Combibrug understands this reality. Its programmes don’t just prepare children academically: they equip them with the practical and emotional tools to thrive.
Two key programmes illustrate this mission:
1.Empower Programme
Focused on unaccompanied refugee children (ages 14-18) living in emergency shelters, Empower ensures that children don’t spend months in limbo.
From day one, participants join a structured programme running 3.5 days per week for at least three months. Through workshops, sports, music, and creative activities, children gain:
- Routine and stability
- Social connections
- Foundational skills like language, time management, and financial literacy
The impact is clear: children in Empower are more likely to enroll in ISK and less likely to drop out. And once they begin school, De Combibrug continues walking alongside them. Ready to step in whenever extra support is needed.
As Marjolein explains:
“These children have lost trusted people too often. When they finally find support, they need to know it will stay, until they feel safe.”
2.Practical Learning Programme
Not every child is ready – or able – to continue in school. Some must work to support families back home; others simply don’t adapt to traditional classrooms.
Through one-on-one guidance for youth aged 18–24, De Combibrug helps them take their next step:
- Extra educational support
- Job placement and training
- Guidance away from unsafe, exploitative work
As Marjolein notes:
“It’s not about forcing one path: it’s about ensuring they’re not left behind.”
Education as Mental Health Support
Early educational support is also a powerful protection for mental health. Entering school quickly reduces months of uncertainty, while small academic successes build confidence and resilience.
“When we set young people up to succeed, those small wins keep them going,” says Marjolein. “But when we leave them in the dark, their mental health deteriorates.”
The result? Young people like Yousef: thriving, contributing, and building a stronger, more inclusive society.
Collaborating for a better future
At People for People, we are proud to partner with De Combibrug. What began as providing schoolbags has grown into a shared mission around education and mental health. De Combibrug’s expertise has directly shaped our upcoming holistic mental health programme, ensuring that refugee children don’t just survive, but truly thrive.
Every child deserves a fair chance at education and a hopeful future. Together, we can make that happen.
Because when we empower refugee youth, we don’t just change their lives. We build a more equal, peaceful, and prosperous society for us all.
