📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The centre for asylum seekers of Yvoir is part of the Red Cross network of reception centres in Belgium. Residents come from Palestine, Afghanistan, Irak, Syria, … They already asked for asylum to the Belgian authorities and they are hosted in this centre for the duration of the procedure. They had to leave their country for diverse reasons such as forced marriage, war, persecution for religious reasons, for their sexual orientation or their political opinions. A lot of them are separated from their family and devoid of any place to live or resources.
The Red Cross is mandated by the Belgian authorities to host asylum seekers in respect of its humanitarian principles, its independence and its neutrality.
This kind of centre provides:
• Housing and food
• Basic hygiene package
• Support during the asylum procedure and social monitoring
• Medical assistance
• Mandatory education for minors
• Cultural and sport activities
The centre “Le Bocq”, which takes its name from the nearby river, can house up to 300 persons with all kinds of family situation: couples, isolated persons, families and unaccompanied foreign minors.
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will be involved in 2 main projects:
• Flowering and taking care of the surroundings of the centre in order to enliven the area
• Imagine and create a mural in one of the main staircase
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will sleep in a big room which will be turned into a mixed dormitory.
Volunteers, as residents, will get points on a badge which will give them access and allow them to buy groceries at the centre’s minimarket. They will then cook their meals themselves in one of the common kitchen.
📍 About the location
Yvoir is a small village located in the province of Namur in Wallonia, the southern French-speaking region of Belgium. It is 20 km away from Namur, capital city of Wallonia. The centre is bordered by a river (le Bocq) and greeny hills.
Be aware that it is a remote area with poor public transports connections.
The nearest train station is 3.5 km away.
⚠️ Requirements
It is asked to the volunteers to have a specific interest in migration and working with asylum seekers. Knowledge and/or will to facilitate activities with the residents are very much welcome.
A motivation letter related to this project is required.
Volunteers will have to respect the internal regulations of the Red Cross such as the strict alcohol-free policy inside the centre.