PROVIDING MORE THAN JUST SHELTER: TAKECAREBNB
In the year 2011, a series of protests and demonstrations across the Middle East and Northern Africa commenced against unjust political systems, corruption, and human rights abuses among others. Known as the “Arab Spring”, countries from Tunisia to Yemen stood up for their rights, however, faced horrendous aftermath as thousands and millions were killed during protests.
Syria’s uprising took the worst turn as the Assad government began violently suppressing protesters, eventually kick-starting the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time. Half the countries’ pre-war population of an estimated 11 million people were either killed or forcibly misplaced.
Syrians now make the third and the biggest of the world’s refugee population. While Turkey and neighboring countries accommodate the greatest numbers of refugees, the EU is welcoming hundreds every day.
As I witnessed the miserable effects of this tragedy on refugee families and individuals who fled to Europe, I decided to investigate and find out how governments are handling not only the legality of the asylum process, but the integration as well.
I had the pleasure of interviewing the director of an incredible public benefit organization in the Netherlands called “Takecarebnb”, where we discussed the country’s asylum policies, how the organisation is trying to help both Dutch locals and refugees and heard about Berend’s great work.
Soest, the Netherlands born and raised, Berend Jonker has always had an interest in people from different cultures. He studied social sciences and chose intercultural management as his thesis topic. Following graduation in the 90′s, he decided to join the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers, an independent body which is under the Ministry of Security.
Considering this period coincided with the ex-Yugoslavia conflicts, reception centers where he worked were completely full. “I saw many things” he said, “people sleeping together in small rooms, lack of privacy, health problems, violence and so much more.”
He has worked for many more refugee organizations, such as the Foundation for Refugee Students -an organization that supports refugees with their studies- , and the European Council’s “Refugees and Exiles” for which he lobbied at European level for better integration policies and practices.
While working there, Berend learned more about the difficulties of “fitting in” refugees face in completely different cultures than their own. Thus, he felt obliged to help and support refugees in finding a better living environment with a family in a home and not at a refugee center, in hopes of a better start and a much smoother integration process.
As the majority of you have probably already guessed, the name “Takecarebnb” is a spin-off of “Airbnb”. In 2015, founder Reinout de Kraker was watching the news in his Airbnb in New York City when he saw protests across the Netherlands against the influx of refugees. He then decided to take matters into his own hands and help eradicate prejudice towards refugees whilst also easing the integration process by matching the two parties together.
He began recruiting trusted volunteers to search for compatible locals and asylum seekers. They visit reception centers to make themselves known, some go every week. Then, after careful procedures, they match and finally introduce them to the angels who will be hosting them for approximately 3 months. Over the years he noticed many of his envisioned goals are going as planned.
For instance, the Takecarebnb team was able to help the matched refugees build a network for themselves; hosting family, neighbors and friends, retrieve the confidence they lost and get rid of the “refugee” label. In addition, they were able to learn about the Dutch language, culture and habits. The guest family on the other hand admitted the worries they had going into this all disappeared after enriching a bit of compassion and trust which rapidly became love and complete acceptance.
One of the most unforgettable matches was of sisters Amal and Sabah with host Monica in Amsterdam about two years ago.
Monica decided to take advantage of this opportunity as she believes it’s a case where both parties are winners; she’d be able to reach someone who needs a helping hand and in return learn about a new culture.
Amal and Sabah were the happiest they have ever been “feeling like humans again”, away from the prison like life of the AZC. They felt great sadness to leave Monica’s side after beautiful 3 months but knew they were about to start a hopeful new life, with a little help from this life changing experience.
Compared to a lot of countries, the Dutch government acquires a respectively large reception system. It provides accommodation and support from the beginning and does not send anyone who might be in serious risk away.
However, some wait for as long as 10 years for a decision to be made. While waiting, they sometimes have children in the Netherlands, but then the parents could be forced to leave when a decision is finally made.
While they wait they’re not allowed to do much; they aren’t allowed to work for the first few months and when they do many restrictions are applied on the number of hours allowed.
Employers are hesitant to employ even qualified refugees because of nationality of language. Dutch qualifications ease the job search. At times it becomes harder even for ones with higher education to receive support and find jobs, thinking they do not need it, and then end up taking much lower jobs.
Berend believes “It’s better to invest a bit of money into re-qualifying them –the refugees- as it would be beneficial for everyone at the end, even the Dutch society.”
Recently, the organization is facing difficulties finding sufficient house families. At the beginning, which was the peak of the refugee crisis in Europe, people were eager and thriving to make a change. However, currently even news agencies are not providing much coverage for the catastrophe, thus people are thinking the situation is not as much of a crisis as it used it.
Takecarebnb’s first priority is becoming a small professional NGO. They hope to become a more stable, much bigger organization. Currently they’re supporting less than a 100 people a year, but their objective is supporting at least a few hundred.
A MESSAGE TO THE LOCALS by Berend Jonker
“Of course you have to think about it when you give up your privacy and have someone you don’t know in your house. Many locals’ feedback begins with “it’s easier than we thought”. You can compare it with other exchange programs, but this one is a little bit more special”
Please visit their website and check their Facebook page for updates and reach out at anytime in case you’d like to participate as a host, guest or have any inquiries!
