Asylum seekers support

• June 2003 in Puth (the Netherlands)
• Josephine Brackman, Odet Stabel and Jac Tillie (DSM Research)

On a stormy Sunday, Josephine Brackman and her family went for a walk in the Sweikhuizerbos and decided to visit a friend of their son at the Asylum Seekers Centre. The three children of Josephine and four children of an Iranian family played together. Contact between two different cultures was achieved. Children, not knowing anything about political tensions, played together. Josephine was fascinated by this, and thought it would be helpful when more families of the Petrus Canisius school in Puth met families at the centre, without political discussions, but only to learn from each other.

Together with Odet Stabel, Jac Tillie and the Petrus Canisius school, they formed a team to realize this dream: "Think globally, act locally". To overcome fear, knowing each other better, understanding each others position and finally creating a relationship.

All families received a flyer "The whole world in your backyard" (in Dutch) (PDF: 27 Kb)

On June 22, 2003, 16 asylum families met 16 Dutch families in an amusement park (Steinerbos), where the asylum families organized a picnic. All families were very enthusiastic.

On June 29, 2003 the asylum families visited the Dutch families at home, and at the end of the day they all visited the playground in Puth.

Both days were wonderful events for all families and as Josephine states: 'If we want to make a success of the world, we have to contribute ourselves. These contributions make a difference. A beautiful example of think globally, act locally!'

Odet dreams on: She hopes that other schools and Asylum seekers centres will also start a project like this one.

In the Petrus Canisius school a project 'connecting different cultures' will start.