Els from Haarlem and Abdo from Syria became friends after meeting at Stem in de Stad. The volunteer and Syrian refugee meet weekly, Els also helps her new Abdo to get to know Haarlem better. Tonight there is something special on the program: a festival in Patronaat.
Stem in de Stad is a meeting place for homeless people, refugees and undocumented migrants. For the first time, the foundation organized a benefit concert. The music event features Haarlem artists such as Chef’special, Jack and the Weatherman and Bart van Liempt.
Joost van den Bogaart walks around with a big smile. He is the pastoral manager of Stem in de Stad: “We are extremely grateful and see it as a great gift from Patronaat and the Haarlem artists to perform for free. The proceeds go to our foundation.”
Raw sounds
Meanwhile, Els van den IJssel and Abdo Nazha are standing among the audience and listening to the raw sounds of The Irrational Library. The young Syrian is amazed: “It’s the first time I’ve seen such music live and it’s crazy. It’s fantastic to see people dancing. The Irrational Library certainly has a new fan,” he laughs.
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Els and Abdo visit festival – NH News
Abdo fled from Homs, Syria, a year and a half ago. He currently lives on the refugee boat in the Waarderpolder, which is an ‘ok’ place for the 29-year-old. He hopes to receive his residence permit in the coming months, so that he can work and start the integration courses.
Abdo is already busy learning the language, he receives the necessary help from Els, who has been a volunteer at Stem in de Stad for seven years. Els and Abdo met there and a friendship has since developed.
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“A few months ago there was a Meet and Eat at Stem in de Stad, where we were put at the same table,” says 64-year-old Els. “We clicked and became friends. Since then, we have been out together every week or participating in projects such as SUPmission (suppend cleaning Haarlem waters, ed.) or eating together.”
“You can’t be my friend if you can’t play cards”
Besides Abdo getting to know his new place through Els, there is one more thing he ‘must’ learn. Els laughs: “You can’t be my friend if you can’t play cards. So I taught him canasta. He’s already pretty good at it too.”
Also cooking
While the halls fill up and the melodious sounds of Bart van Liempt dance through the Haarlem music temple, Els looks at her watch, because she has something else on the program.
“I have to go home in between because I’m going to cook for a group of people, Abdo is also eating with me. But of course I want to be here on time, because I certainly don’t want to miss Chef’special.”