Time for yourself while your children play and make new friends. That is what the families of Syrian Anwar and Ukrainian Mariam were quite in need of. They are enjoying a holiday with other refugee families in the middle of the Dutch forest. Mariam: "I feel alive again."
The holiday, organised by
And it was about time, Mariam says as she prepares an activity. She has been living in the Netherlands for 2 years now, in a municipal reception centre in Eindhoven. She lives there with other Ukrainian refugees. Although it is great to be among compatriots, Mariam often experiences the atmosphere as tense. "Everyone is mostly preoccupied with their own problems."
"Here, on holiday in Oisterwijk, things are different," she says. "We are well taken care of and there is a fun and varied programme that provides distraction. As a result, we have room to take care of each other."
Syrian Anwar, who lives with his 3 children in Voorne aan Zee, also participated in the children's holiday week. "It's really lovely here," he thinks. "I have some time to myself, while my daughter Maria can play wonderfully. She quickly made new friends."
Supervisor Marijke also sees how quickly friendships are formed: "It is beautiful to see how a group of people who did not know each other form close bonds within a few days. Even the children quickly exchange addresses and use Google Maps to see how far away they live from each other."
The holiday involves a busy schedule. There are activities such as swimming, miniature golf, djembe lessons and campfires. On 1 of the evenings, the parents cook for themselves, with Turkish and Arabic dishes on the table. "The rest of the week they cook for us, with delicious meals such as rice with chicken, lasagna and soup," Anwar says.
"This is the 1st time in 3 years that I feel really happy," Mariam shares. "Just last night a Turkish lady made baklava for us. I got goosebumps and was crying with happiness. The taste took me back to my childhood holidays in Crimea."
Mariam fled Ukraine and eventually found a safe place in the Netherlands where she can recover from everything she went through in Ukraine. "I have depression and receive therapy and medication for it. I notice around me that people who have been through the same thing as me do not like to talk about it. But it is nothing to be ashamed of. I am happy with the help I get."
During the holiday week in the forest, Mariam finally found peace and time for herself again: "People here understand me and care about me. They say,"Get some rest, I will take care of your child for a while. For example, I was finally able to swim again, something I really enjoy. It means so much to me!"
Every summer different community organisations arrange different types of children's holiday weeks in cooperation with VWN. Are you interested? Then ask your contact at VWN for information.
