Getting Started with Newcomers

In December 2015Kwam Jaber (35) came to the Netherlands as a Syrian refugee. He now has his residence permit and will volunteer for [organization] among other activities.Get started, a project by Volunteer Center Amsterdam. For this project, he will guide refugees, or as he beautifully puts it, ‘newcomers’, tovolunteering.I am meeting him in a café at Amsterdam Centraal. This place, symbolizing travel, adventures, and prosperity, is perfect for this interview. Upon his arrival in the Netherlands, Jaber had made it his goal to integrate as quickly and as well as possible into his new home country. “I ended up in the Asylum Seekers’ Center in Zweeloo. While waiting for my residence permit, unfortunately, I was not allowed to do anything, so I decided to learn the Dutch language through YouTube and e-books.” In 2016, Jaber received his residence permit and moved to Amsterdam.Culture shockJaber explains that it is difficult for a Syrian to integrate into the Netherlands; it was a culture shock for him. When I ask him what the cause of this huge transition is, he says: “Dutch society operates as a collective. Communication is positive and professional, people keep an appropriate distance from each other, both in business and privately. Syria is still far behind socially, educationally, and culturally. In the Netherlands, I have to be born again; I have to learn the language, learn to walk again, and learn how to communicate.”Get startedmet JaberJaber has always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. With his personal experience and background as an interpreter, he aims to help refugees integrate as best as possible. “When newcomers arrive here, they think the opportunities are abundant. The opportunities are indeed there, but they need to know how to seize them. With the project [project_name], he wants to provide support and guidance to refugees in navigating this new chapter of their lives.”Get startedI can help both refugees and the municipality of Amsterdam with that.FutureJaber has many plans for his new life in the Netherlands. “I would like to further delve into the laws and regulations of the Netherlands. This way, I can become an active member of the municipality’s advisory group and help newcomers integrate into the Netherlands even better. For himself, he would like to pursue a Master’s degree.”Business & MediaHe also wants to expand his network to increase his chances of getting a good job.

It was an inspiring conversation. I say goodbye to Jaber, thank him, and wish him all the best for his new life. At Amsterdam Central Station, I struggle through the crowd of travelers. For some, this is part of their daily routine, for others, it’s the start of an Amsterdam city trip, and for a few, it’s the beginning of a new birth.Text: Eva Bos
Photo: Jackie Mulder

Are you also interested in doing volunteer work?All volunteer vacancies (over 1000!) can be found at:vacaturebank.vca.nu– We are happy to help you find something that suits you!
If you can’t figure it out online and prefer to discuss it face to face with us, do you want to come in?Then make an appointment at one of our branchesor call 020-5301220.VCA is committed to new residents of Amsterdam. We do this in collaboration with volunteer organizations, the Municipality of Amsterdam, language schools, and a team of ambassadors in theProject Status Holders:No content to translate.hereread more about it. This project was made possible by: