LVV zinloos geweest? Niet volgens Abdul!

I've been on the street before. That's the worst case scenario that could happen to anyone. Struggling with mental health, it was adding insult to injury. Anything could have happened to me during that period. I dared to seek help from ROS foundation on the 6th June 2023, who secured an appointment with the municipality of Rotterdam. I had to explain my situation at the appointment. The municipality representatives got me in contact with VWN Rotterdam to help me out to prepare for a new asylum procedure. I was appointed to the Leger des Heils shelter at Capelsbrug opvang.

During my stay at the opvang; I was provided with a place to sleep, food, daily upkeep, medical check ups at the opvang. For a period close to 10 months, i was able to be given another chance in life. This resulted in the following:

• I found my new love

• I carried on with my voluntary work at Rainbow Den Haag

• I participated in the making of the ROS cook book

• I followed Dutch lessons & the future orientation course at ROS

• Did a short computer course at Bibliotheek Rotterdam

• Attended different appointments with VWN to help me start a new asylum case

• Started with my mental health treatment

  I believe to this day, I wouldn't be in the position I am right now, if I wasn't listened to, seen and even being heard. I got an opportunity to talk to municipality representatives twice who were carrying out an evaluation of the people living at the Capelsbrug opvang. During our meetings we discussed about my situation and I thanked them for providing a place I called my home.

  Everyone deserves access to basic needs of life and shelter in particular. In addition to that being undocumented is as vulnerable as a newly born baby that has escaped her mother's womb. It can't go back inside the womb but survives on the mercy of dear ones around it. From my experience nobody flees their mamaland like it's a privilege but rather a situation of life and death.

  Now I re-applied for a new asylum application and I live in the AZC again, looking forward to resuming with my mental health therapy, finding a job & adding value to the country that has provided me with safety. I’m still doing my voluntary work at Rainbow Den Haag and am in good conctact with my boyfriend here as I'm waiting for my interview. To sum it up: undocumented people need access to basic needs of life and shelter in particular.