Netherlands
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Tom is a Financial cöordinator from a national charity supporting children in Dutch refugee camps and Amal, a founding member of a charity dedicated to helping the survival of refugee communities, promoting the talents and work opportunities for people from diverse cultures and faiths - spearheading about 40 different projects around Health & Social Care, Art and Culture, Architecture and Permaculture and Green Technology.
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
Charity Work
Language practice
Art Projects
Help with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
We work to improve the needs of refugee and migrant communities, we act and do this practically, but we also reflect and in that way we are constantly learning. Therefore, challenging yourself applies to both practical improvisations and creation, as much as the analyses of what you will be experiencing. Almere is a city with 150 different nationalities and so learning and dealing with different communication styles is an important part of our work. Connecting different generations is another aspect, offering possibilities and different views.
Many WorkAwayers are shocked about the injustice and inequality and racism that the people asking for our support experience.... the romantic tales about a tolerant country do not match the harsh reality of those standing on the edge of society. We do not see ourselves as victims, but we are building- step by step- a new reality, joined by people committed to equal rights and justice.
Many WorkAwyers have stayed longer than originally intended since they also find a sense of fulfillment and enjoy making a real difference.
Most WorkAwayers remain in contact or even visit regularly, so in that sense coming to stay with us, will mean joining a community of people, which offers you and others a permanent place to be welcome, an equal part of a whole.
We are a family of 5, but our oldest son Amin (23) has moved out and works full-time. This leaves the gap of "the oldest" and having "adopted" a number of young refugee's and au pairs in the past, we are used to an open and outgoing family climate, in which our two daughters Zara (10) and Yasmin (17) are growing up.
Your primary tasks would involve quality time with Zara and to a lesser extent Yasmin. Whilst we as parents may be busy attending the never-ending needs of refugees and the wider community, our children need you to assist us in taking care of them with creativity, patience, and initiative by providing loving care for them and their needs. This involves school runs; driving them to after school activities or to friends etc., cooking and light housework.
Apart from that, you are free to choose tasks or projects, which fit in with your personal interest, from working with refugee children and young people's projects to facilitating visual art, film or permaculture gardening projects. We are developing two community gardens, so no shortage of gardening opportunity, the real permaculture experience: care for the earth, care for the people and fair trade. The longer you can stay, the more there is to learn about the needs of refugee and migrant communities in the Netherlands, about working in multi-disciplinary and intercultural teams, about the development of the community, etc. Beware, working with refugee communities can be tiring and hard - real commitment is needed for people with real needs.
Of course, if you have previous experience and relevant education, we can agree on a position that suits your level of responsibility, which can be discussed.
Since we just built our house, it is not fully completed & it has a few rough edges here and there. The accommodation we offer is one room but with access to the kitchen, bathroom & the rest of the house. There is a wifi connection and electricity to charge mobile phones, laptops, etc.
We usually take turns cooking, we take pride in healthy and delicious food: vegan, vegetarian, halal: everything is possible.... if you like cooking we are more than happy to follow your lead!
The longer you can stay the better, so when applying, please let us know the specific arrival times that are possible and if possible provide a CRB (Police check).
Greetings and best wishes,
Tom & Amal
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
Please contact them directly for more information.
We can offer one bedroom and access to the rest of the house for further facilities.
We live next to a forest in a developing green area. You will have the use of a bicycle so that you can freely move throughout the city. Also, the bus stop, about a 20 min walk from our home leads you to the city centre, which is 15-20 min by bus or car.
There you also have access to two community centres, situated right in the middle of Almere city with all facilities easily accessible and plenty of people to get to know and work with.
Almere is a new modern city, about 30 min from Amsterdam.
Tom enjoys sculpting as a hobby, you can also see his creative work on Facebook and that of Amal; there are many foto's from our work to get an impression of our work, but please use the workaway platform to apply.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
This host can provide space for campervans.
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
One
Max 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
