Intercultural activities in the Refugee Center of Natoye
Description: Since 2006, the Red Cross center in Natoye "Le Relais du Monde" is a reception center for applicants for international protection. The residents of the center benefit from accommodation, food, material assistance, social support and medical follow-up during the refugee status process as well as schooling for children and trainings for adults. The center has a capacity to host around 280 people (families, women and isolated men). It has also recently opened a reception center for a dozen young unaccompanied minors (MENA) under 18 years of age. The center's residents come from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Guinea, and Palestine, representing some thirty nationalities.
Type of Work: Based on a schedule drawn up at the beginning of the project, the volunteers will propose recreational and diverse activities (art, cooking, outdoor games and sports) to the adults and teenagers of the center. Material will be provided. Given the fragile condition of the residents of the center, the volunteers will wear neutral clothes. Free time: weekends and some evenings.
Study Theme: Learning about the international protection procedure in Belgium. Meeting the residents and the team of workers at the center. Cultivating openness and living together with the aim of a more open and tolerant society. On the first day of the project, a training on interculturality will be organized.
Accommodation: Basic comfort. Group accommodation in a dormitory (single room.) Mattresses, sheets and pillows are provided by the center but the volunteers will bring their sleeping bag. Shared sanitary facilities. The volunteers will eat the same food (halal) as the residents. Since the budget of the center is limited, the food is very basic and it is sometimes difficult to satisfy the volunteers. You can plan to bring specific extra food if this is important to you. Use of drugs and alcohol is strictly forbidden.
Language: English with some basic French to communicate with the residents and staff. Some are non-English speakers.
Requirements: A motivation letter is required to participate in this project. Enjoy teamwork and animation. Volunteers with previous experience in entertainment and creative volunteers are particularly welcome. Budgets for the reception centers have been significantly reduced, so volunteers will be encouraged to organize activities at a lower cost and those who wish to do so can bring their own material
Approximate Location: “The Relais du Monde” center is located in a large forest next to the Bocq river and just a few minutes' walk away from the Natoye railway station. Natoye is a village that is 25 minutes away by train from the city of Namur, 10 minutes away from the city of Ciney and 35 minutes away from the city of Dinant.
Notes: Not wheelchair accessible Additional Fee : Many SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover - local hosting costs; International insurance costs of the volunteer; a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects; administration costs of SCI International. If you apply through an SCI branch the fee will be included in the fee you pay to your sending branch. If you apply through a partner organisation you will pay the fee on arrival at the project; direct to the hosting branch or through a PayPal transfer system. When accepted on the project the host branch will give you more details of the various payment options.