Asylum seeker centers throughout the Netherlands are open to the public on Saturday. There has been an asylum center in Gilze for 30 years, but this center still attracts plenty of curious people who come to take a look during the open day. The mayor also visited because of the anniversary and because of ‘the added value’ that the asylum seekers’ center has for the area, according to him.
“Many volunteers from the area work here to support the 1,200 residents,” says Mayor Derk Alssema. “We also have little inconvenience from the residents. There are occasional incidents, but they are real incidents. The volunteers enjoy working here because it is such rewarding work. It also ensures bonding between the volunteers.”
Confronting
Wilma is one such volunteer who has been helping in the clothing store for 23 years. “Asylum seekers can choose clothes and shoes here for free. Some really have nothing other than the clothes they come in with. Very confrontational.”
Wilma never felt threatened at the asylum seekers’ center. “I have sometimes had to raise my voice because people are pushing in front of me, but I have never felt unsafe.”
Realm
A little further on, a young visitor walks through the grounds, together with her grandmother. “My grandmother worked here as a volunteer for 6 years and asked me to come and have a look. I am especially interested in the education that is provided here. I am a teaching assistant myself.”
What strikes the young visitor is the atmosphere on the site. “You are greeted by everyone, staff, residents and volunteers. It seems very relaxed and friendly. You get the feeling that the volunteers are all friends of each other. I’m glad I came to see.”
Fashion shows
More than a hundred locations participated in this open day. There were fashion shows, language lessons, cooking workshops, and singing and dancing, according to the COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers). The number of visitors in the provinces of North Brabant, Limburg and Zeeland alone was more than 2,200. At all other asylum seekers’ centers the numbers were between fifty and two hundred visitors, the COA reported afterwards on Saturday evening.