{"id":11259,"date":"2021-06-08T10:35:09","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T10:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/?post_type=story&p=11259"},"modified":"2022-12-13T15:51:16","modified_gmt":"2022-12-13T15:51:16","slug":"evelien","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/evelien\/","title":{"rendered":"Evelien"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cYou don\u2019t have to radically change your life in order to contribute to a welcoming society\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Written by: <\/em>Patrick van Wersch<\/em><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

08-06-2021<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we show up with expensive gifts, they might feel uncomfortable\u201d, Evelien says. \u201cYou know they don\u2019t like us paying for things. Let\u2019s ask around to see if our friends have some nice things. If Laila and Amer agree, of course.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Evelien Dietvorst (29) appreciates how clearly the Syrian family communicates with the Samen Hier group about what they do and don\u2019t want. This already started with their second meeting, in the Children\u2019s Museum, after someone got drinks for the kids. Laila took Evelien aside and explained: \u201cWe have five kids and little money. Taking the metro is already too expensive, let alone buying drinks. When you pay for things, we have to return the favour. We would love to do things with you guys, but prefer if these were free.\u201d<\/p>\n

Act normal but be culturally sensitive at the same time \u2013 it\u2019s what characterises this Samen Hier group from Rotterdam, which has been active for over a year. Last Summer they got together to celebrate \u2018the end of corona\u2019 with a barbecue in the park. During the previous months, the group had taken the kids out for a few hours every week so that Laila and Amer could get some rest. \u201cJust as I would do for a friend\u201d, Evelien says. \u201cWhat we give to their family \u2013 and they to us \u2013 consists of small things like that. Nothing big and immersive.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a special and educational year during which Evelien, who is a doctoral candidate in child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, was sometimes astonished by the limitations of the integration process in the Netherlands. Research shows, for example, that kids whose parents have been educated outside of the Netherlands often have lower prospects for their own education. Their limited knowledge of the Dutch language can impact their test results, for example, even when they do have the intellectual capacity to do well. Laila and Amer\u2019s eldest is already facing this problem. \u201cHer tests aren\u2019t suitable for someone who has only been in the Netherlands for four years\u201d, Evelien notes. \u201cI would say that it makes sense to test them later, or to adjust the school tests. Her current results will impact her choices for high school \u2013 kids don\u2019t always have to get the highest results, of course, but they should be an honest reflection of their level.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Evelien, there are also more subtle indications that the current system is flawed. When one of the girls requested help with a paper, the group was happy to offer this. Later, in her class, she was immediately asked if she had received any help. \u201cPupils whose parents are Dutch don\u2019t get asked this question so easily\u201d, Evelien says, \u201ceven though they also receive help.\u201d The group has talked a lot after this incident \u2013 about this bigger problem that manifests itself in their world at a small scale. Evelien: \u201cOur discussions are a lot deeper because of these stories. But I keep wondering how we can take the issue to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n

She refers to the general challenges of integration, which many people see as the government\u2019s responsibility. The academic, however, thinks that societies themselves should take a more active role in the process. \u201cWinning the enthusiasm of the people around you, for example by participating in Samen Hier, is a good start. But you can\u2019t force them, the commitment has to come from within. I have friends who would be interested in helping refugees settle in the Netherlands, but they rarely take the actual step. I would like everyone to know that you really don\u2019t have to radically change your life in order to contribute to a welcoming society.\u201d<\/p>\n\"\"\n

For Evelien, this contribution could also be made through her scientific research. The experiences she\u2019s had over the last year could really contribute to this, she indicates. The way she sees it, \u201cit might provide guidance.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s not a coincidence that I ended up here \u2013 I gravitate toward topic like integration and its effects on children. I wish that all kids in the Netherlands would have the same opportunities. Also I would like to get a better grasp on methods of integration, so that we could make this a communal responsibility for all Dutch people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently Evelien is researching the impact of the corona pandemic and its measures on the emotional wellbeing of kids. For this, she had to shoot a promo-video, in which Laila allowed her kids to feature. \u201cShe trusts that we do the right thing, and the feeling is mutual\u201d, says Evelien. \u201cThe other day, I asked Laila if she is alright with the influence we have on her family. Her response touched me: We chose <\/em>you to influence us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s in our system\u201d, Evelien describes the general feeling within the group. If it freezes, someone will soon ask where to go ice skate. If the weather is nice, we\u2019ll soon have planned a trip to go swimming in the Kralingse Plas. And whenever it\u2019s someone\u2019s birthday, we send cards. Not only is the group going strong \u2013 it\u2019s even gained two members. Two participants have had a baby since the initiative started. Evelien: \u201cWith their parenting experience, Laila and Amer are being true role-models. We really keep learning from one-another.\u201d<\/p>\n

This Samen Hier group consists of Roel and Lisa, Paulien, Robin, Evert and Renske, Roland and Evelien, Laila and Amer, Zahra, Melek, Joud, Mustafa and Mohamed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

advocating a self starting society that proactively welcomes refugees<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"story_category":[70],"class_list":["post-11259","story","type-story","status-publish","hentry","story_category-awareness-raising-2"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEvelien - Justice & Peace Netherlands<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/evelien\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Evelien, wishes that all kids in the Netherlands would have the same opportunities.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"advocating a self starting society that proactively welcomes refugees\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/stories\/evelien\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Justice & Peace Netherlands\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JusticeandPeaceNL\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-12-13T15:51:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Evelien-2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Evelien, wishes that all kids in the Netherlands would have the same opportunities.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Evelien-2.jpg\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/justiceandpeace.nl\\\/en\\\/stories\\\/evelien\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/justiceandpeace.nl\\\/en\\\/stories\\\/evelien\\\/\",\"name\":\"Evelien - 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