Three Zaanse friends brew beers to raise money for the Refugee Foundation. Refugee Week starts next week and the three were looking for a fun campaign to raise money. “We also tried cycling, but this was more successful,” says Simon Sierhuis. The three own a small brewery in Steven’s backyard that they affectionately call “De Knutselaerij”.
Pim and Robert are standing in Steven’s backyard next to a keg full of beer. In the kitchen is a row of bottles and a bag of bottle caps. Pim puts one after the other cap on the just filled bottles. Refugee Week starts next week. That is why they make a special beer with herbs and grains from Ukraine and Syria.
The three hobbyists sell the beer to family and friends and see the donations enter slowly. “We first bet on two thousand euros, but we now want to go for five thousand,” says Steven. Robert is a bit shocked by that new amount because the production must all be made in the backyard, but he is positive: “We’re going for it!”
The Week of the Refugee is a successor to Night of the Refugee and will take place from 12 to 18 June.