A former football canteen in Ransdaal will be converted into a shelter for Ukrainian refugees in the coming week.
The first refugees arrive on Tuesday 19 April and many residents of the village help to give them a warm welcome. A letter sent to residents in Ransdaal states that there is room for a maximum of sixteen Ukrainians.
Municipality of Voerendaal
Marianne Winthagen, one of the initiators, tells on behalf of the working group Ranzel Help Ukraine enthusiastic about the project: “About a month ago we discussed with the municipality whether the canteen is suitable for receiving people. Later we were informed that that is fine.”
Contractor
A contractor is currently busy making the football canteen suitable for the refugees. According to Marianne, he does this in addition to his regular work: “People have even come forward who want to sponsor material.” The municipality of Voerendaal manages the construction and provides guidance where necessary. The municipality also pays (part of) the costs.
stuff
Meanwhile, Marianne and the working group have already drawn up an entire inventory list for items. Many people have already donated something: from glasses to children’s duvets and from table lamps to flower vases. People who want to donate items of a larger size are asked to wait a little longer: “We ask people to leave the items at home until Saturday 16 April. Then they can bring it to the old canteen. Only if people cannot bring it themselves, Can we still pick it up with a sponsored truck?”
Initiatives
There are also volunteers who help to keep everything running smoothly. “Soon there will have to be cleaning and things will have to be put together. There are also volunteers for afterwards: we have a ‘guide team’ and an activity team,” says Marianne. Once the Ukrainian refugees have settled in, she would like to organize an activity for all refugees from the municipality. “For example, a trip with the children or an activity with their fellow sufferers.”
A crowdfunding has now also been started for this so that families do not have to worry about money matters in the coming period. You can read more about the aid campaign of Marianne and Ranzel Help Ukraine via this link†