The process of seeking asylum in a new country is very complicated. The procedure takes a long time and holds no guarantees of success. While in process, the asylum seeker has no country to call home. Often they have left horrendous situations in their home country, as well as family, friends, and a support network. We often encounter asylum seekers in refugee centres, but sometimes we find them they living on the street or in squats. We meet many interesting people with compelling stories to tell. The time we spend with them and the friendships we build are deeply meaningful.
As a foreigner in Belgium, one has the right to seek asylum and refugee. The agency in charge of all these procedures is FEDASIL (Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers). They provide refugee and support for the long process of integration.
Serve the City acts as a liaison between the volunteers who want to help and the asylum seekers from different centers. Thus, our volunteers aid by offering practical and social guidance in order to make the process of integration easier for them . What’s more, we often collect clothes which are sorted and given to them as their only belongings are usually what they are wearing every day. French lessons are also organised to help them carry basic conversation and understand everything without an interpreter. All of these things are very important and make their stay here in Belgium easier.
