“Helping other newcomers is truly my mission”

Elias (39) fled from Lebanon because he is gay. In Lebanon, according to Article 534 of the Penal Code, you can be sentenced to a year in prison for ‘unnatural sex’. “You lead a kind of double life and can never be successful. You always have to look around to see who is listening. Even my family doesn’t know I’m gay. And I was constantly afraid of being exposed. When I was blackmailed, I fled to the Netherlands.”We meet for the interview in the cozy, welcoming café ‘5, the Coffee Connect’, located near the AZC in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. In the barber corner, someone is getting their beard trimmed, while at the long table, people of all colors are typing on their laptops. In one corner, a group of children is laughing and chatting. There is a piano, and at the bar with volunteers, you can buy all sorts of goodies. Combiwell and Stichting Eigenwijks organize various activities here, such as drawing classes or a barbecue. Local residents are also very welcome. In the middle, every Wednesday, there is a table full of brochures from the Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam. Elias helps other refugees here every week who are interested in volunteering.

Volunteering helps against depression.

When Elias arrived in the Netherlands, he had a very difficult time. “I missed my work, family, and friends. And even in the asylum center, I often felt the same prejudices about homosexuality as in Lebanon. I received psychological help to deal with my problems. I wondered what I could do about my depression and found out that I could help myself by helping others. I took action again. This not only helps others but also helps myself to get through this long, uncertain period. There will always be mountains, but it is important to find the strength to climb them.”

My voice

Through the Volunteer Center Amsterdam (VCA), Elias first got involved with the Pride Photo Award and the Street Art Museum Amsterdam. And now he is at VCA itself to help other newcomers. “I listen to their wishes and provide information about the possibilities for volunteering. For example: cooking in a neighborhood restaurant, working in a vegetable garden, or becoming a coach in a sports team. It helps you meet new people, practice your Dutch, or build your CV. It seems like I have really found my mission to help others in this way. It feels like I have found my own voice again.”Interview: Thecla Groot Koerkamp
Photo: Pixabay

Interested in doing volunteer work?

Through Volunteer Center Amsterdam, you can find more than 1000 fun and meaningful volunteer opportunities in the city.Find what suits you best!

Also at 21 other asylum centers in the Netherlands.provided information and mediation on volunteeringThe goal is to make this possible at all 35 asylum seeker centers, for people who do not yet have a residence permit.