For a week now, 40 boys between the ages of 15 and 18 have been staying in the Van der Valkhotel Volendam. They come from different countries: “Syria, Afghanistan, Benin, Yemen and Morocco,” says Jesper van der Pol, the manager of the young people.
Six boys are playing football in front of the hotel entrance. They don’t mind the drizzle at all because playing football is a wonderful outlet. “They are children from different backgrounds, but they have all had a traumatic journey,” says Jesper. “On their flight, they experienced and saw things that you and I have no idea about. And that are certainly not normal for their young age.” Some were sent by their parents to escape insecurity in their own country or poverty. Others have fallen into the hands of human traffickers who take advantage of their misery.
Safe
In the Netherlands they first visited Ter Apel where the central registration center is located. “It wasn’t really nice there for them either. Here we try to give them an environment where they feel safe. Where they can land,” says Jesper. The most important thing at the moment is to offer the children a daily structure. “It starts with eating. Three times a day. Most of them had little or no food during the flight. In addition, we provide the desired attention by behavioral specialists. They know what the boys need. Sometimes listening is enough and there is already enough. And to make them feel that they can be there.
During the information evening about the reception of asylum seekers, Volendam mothers in particular were concerned about the safety of their teenage daughters. According to Jesper, that is not entirely necessary. “They are just normal young people, children, who have experienced terrible things but who are not dangerous.” Moreover, the boys are being closely monitored and intervention will be taken if necessary.
Host family
The boys would like to integrate as quickly as possible, learn the Dutch language and go to school. “They also have to go to school because they are required to attend school. However, there is currently no room at the international Link School. We are trying to start language lessons here as much as possible,” says Jesper. If the boys receive a status, they can possibly go to a host family. “That will take some time because those procedures currently take a lot of time.”
After a week, Jesper already sees that the young people are calming down more and finding a rhythm. “They have to report twice a day: in the morning and at ten o’clock in the evening when they have to be inside. And that’s going well.”
Initially, the boys will stay in the hotel for six months. And that can be extended for another six months. Jesper hopes that they will soon be able to play football with the youth in Volendam. “That would be nice, they really want that.”