Farid is one of the many Afghan asylum seekers in the emergency shelter. He and the others came to Enschede from the shelter in Nijmegen a few weeks ago. “We had a lot of contact with the local population there. Volunteers taught the asylum seekers the Dutch language and our women came to home with Dutch families. We miss that very much now.”
Bus to city center
In Nijmegen, for example, there was a volunteer who regularly set up a stall with food and drinks in front of the entrance to the camp. “And we also did sports activities, such as boxing and cycling,” Farid continues. He hopes that people in Twente will also be open to this. “Most of us don’t have much to do during the day.”
We listen to the asylum seekers
In addition to the lack of activities and contact with the inhabitants of Enschede and the surrounding area, the (mainly Afghan) asylum seekers also lack a good bus connection to get to the center of the city. “It is an hour there and an hour back. For us as men that is no problem, but our women have more difficulty with that. It would be very nice if, for example, there was a bus from the shelter to the center twice a week. would go.”
‘We listen to asylum seekers’
In addition, the Afghan asylum seekers find the meals in the emergency shelter ‘sparse’. For example, the offer is said to be ‘too Dutch’ and lacks variety. COA spokesperson Alet Bouwmeester recognizes these complaints. “The kids often don’t like the food either.”
According to spokesperson Ton Kamp of the municipality of Enschede, it is important that many Afghan refugees come from the emergency shelter in Nijmegen. “They were allowed to prepare their own meal there, but that is not possible in the facility in Enschede. The food is served here in buffet form.” Although Kamp himself is pleased with the quality of the food, he says he recognizes the signals from the asylum seekers. “That is also being listened to.”
Education not yet started
Education is also missed. The children of the asylum seekers were taught in Nijmegen, but not here yet. “Every time we change shelters, there is another gap of several weeks that there is no lesson. You have to start over every time,” explains Farid. He has stayed in four different emergency centers since his arrival in the Netherlands last summer.
We are like birds in a cage
According to the municipality, the education problem should be solved soon. “The children in emergency care will receive education from next Tuesday. That was not possible before, because there was a lot of absenteeism among educational staff,” Kamp responds. “A location, including school furniture, also had to be found where education can be given. Starting next week, the children will be taught in a room within walking distance of the emergency shelter.”
Little perspective
Farid has to wait and see. He was able to enroll his children in school today. “I want to see it before I believe it. It only seems to us that the youngest children can go to school. But my children above 12 also want to be taught.” Farid has little hope that they will be able to get an education in the short term: “They can’t say when my children over 12 can go to school, but it will take longer than a week.”
With no activities for him and other asylum seekers — or education for the children — hopes for a fresh start are fading, Farid said. He can do nothing but wait. He has not touched his Dutch language book since he has lived in Enschede. He expects the mental health of his family and fellow residents to deteriorate rapidly: “We are like birds in a cage…”
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