Intercultural activities at the Natoye refugee center
Description: Since 2006, the Red-Cross center in Natoye "Le Relais du Monde" is a shelter 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 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 thirty nationalities. https://www.croix-rouge.be/
Type of Work: Based on a schedule stablished 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. Volunteers will have spare time during the 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: Accommodation to be confirmed near the center.
Language: English with some basic French to communicate with the residents and staff. Some residents 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 from the Natoye railway station. Natoye is a village located 25 minutes by train from the city of Namur, 10 minutes from the city of Ciney and 35 minutes from the city of Dinant.
Notes: 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.
Camp Photographs
