180 asylum seekers have been staying in the Lentis building in Winschoten for months. On Monday, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) showed how life is generally peaceful there.
There are dozens of bicycles in front of the door, and the central hall is very busy. The building of the Lentis mental health organization on the edge of the Stadspark in Winschoten breathes activity on this Monday.
180 asylum seekers
It comes from 180 asylum seekers. Adults, but also single underage boys and underage girls. They come from the most diverse countries and are ‘in’ their asylum procedure. They do not yet know whether they will be allowed to stay in the Netherlands.
Whoever is standing in that central hall; mayor Cora-Yfke Sikkema and alderman Ger Klein van Oldambt. Almost a year ago, that municipality decided to make the then vacant Lentis building available to COA, to accommodate a maximum of 180 people. In particular to relieve the pressure on the overcrowded asylum center in Ter Apel.
‘No or hardly any complaints’
The decision caused a stir in the area. Fear of nuisance surfaced. ,,But we hardly get any complaints,” says Sikkema. ,,Of course something happens, but real complaints, no.” She and Klein visit the building on Monday and are told by Klaas Bonnema that life within the walls is also peaceful.
Bonnema is in charge of the reception location on behalf of the COA and gives the municipal administrators a tour. And by the department where the adults stay, single adults and parents with children. The ward where the underage boys and girls stay is not shown.
Key system
“There are of course contacts between the two departments,” says Bonnema. “In fact, families take care of the single children, so you get a good atmosphere. And we have a key system where the young people can join the adults but not the other way around. And the single girls can join the single boys, but not the other way around.” So the ‘weaker’ have the initiative here when it comes to making contacts.
Bonnema shows a shared kitchen and dining room where several residents are busy cooking. A door leads to a courtyard garden where children can play safely. One and two floors higher are a playroom for children, a music room, a hairdresser and a room where residents are given Dutch lessons at that very moment. “Welcome,” they say, and more words that make it clear that the lessons are paying off.
Dozens of living rooms
“In the dozens of living rooms that this building has, a maximum of two people can stay,” says Bonnema. “That also works well. Yes, this building is very suitable for reception.”
Sikkema and Klein see that too. The latter, responsible for ‘asylum affairs’, says that Oldambt currently also houses 140 Ukrainians at two locations and that the municipality, as far as the administrators are concerned, is currently fulfilling its ‘reception task’. “In principle, this Lentis building can be used as a reception location for 2 years,” says Sikkema. “We will soon evaluate the first year. But it’s going well, there’s no reason not to continue.”