Contact with the neighborhood
Ljubiša digs deep in his memories. Heemskerk was one of the many AZCs where he stayed in his younger years. “I have fun and less fun memories. There were craft afternoons with volunteers where we were going to make 3D cards, or bingo evenings. That was great.”
Yet that time did not stay without scars. When seeing an AZC, he still bursts out in tears. “For a child it is not a nice place to grow up. In my time there was a lot of violence and drug abuse. It felt unsafe. People are frustrated and there is a raised anger. You only live there for a short time and keep moving again. That unrest mainly takes place within the walls of the AZC.”
Yet it is often local residents who are often afraid of nuisance. As a result of which AZCs are often placed in remote locations, out of sight of society. “Many people, including children, feel incredibly lonely. But what really helps is contact with the neighborhood.”
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