Mustafa and Boi were paired just before summer as part of the House of Compassion's "Refugees Ahead" buddy project. By sharing their story, we give you a glimpse into the project.
Language and culture
On the couch at Boi's home, Mustafa and Boi talk about their partnership. The atmosphere is relaxed. 'We're actually not much into the language yet,' they admit with a laugh.
Boi learns a little Arabic from Mustafa, Mustafa Dutch and sign language from Boi. But they still communicate mostly in English. To make real contact. And that clearly happened. It's a lot about intercultural differences and the use of language. About, for example, how in Syria they count ages differently than in the Netherlands. 'In Syria we say my son is 8 (busy in his eighth year of life), but in the Netherlands they say he is 7.' A world opens up for both of them in this contact.
Integrating together
Together they volunteered during the summer at the construction week their sons participated in. Boi has lived in Brakkenstein for two years now, Mustafa for 11 months. 'During an activity like this, it feels like we are integrating into this neighborhood together,' Boi says. 'The more people you know in the neighborhood, the more you start to feel at home of course.
Buddies
And what else do they want to do together? So far, they have mostly chatted together a lot. They both laugh. They want to go biking, hiking ... and maybe even some running to get the 'corona' pounds off . And, of course, they will start speaking more and more Dutch to each other. Mustafa is taking the civic integration course at the ROC and likes the addition of a buddy so he can practice more and more Dutch in practice.
Are you also interested in becoming a buddy to show someone around Nijmegen and practice the Dutch language? Then please contact Melissa Cooke melissa@huisvancompassienijmegen.nl or 06-51839893.