Buddy | May to October

Then become a refugee's buddy for four months. We will start a new matching round at the end of May.

Job description:

Buddy to Buddy helps refugees escape isolation by linking committed residents to refugees. This is how friendships are created between people who would otherwise not have met each other. Welcome to Wageningen's Buddy to Buddy project offers opportunities to get to know new people and other cultures in a fun and accessible way. We do this by taking people's differences into account and helping them to deal with them. This means that in unequal situations the way can still be cleared for an equal encounter. During the first buddy round we were already able to match more than 60 buddies. This contact proves to be very valuable for both sides. One of our buddies says: “I am happy with the contact with my buddy. It helped me to integrate in the Netherlands. Now when people ask me where I come from, I say Wageningen. Wageningen now really feels like home to me.” We may do this in an adapted form, depending on the corona measures. What does buddyship entail? - Wageningers are paired with someone with a refugee background for a period of 4 months. - All buddies are paired simultaneously in a matching round during a matching dinner. During this dinner you will meet your own buddy, but also other buddy couples. It is not yet clear what the matching dinner will look like in September, due to the corona measures. - After this matching dinner, you will have weekly contact with your own buddy, but you will also have the opportunity to undertake activities in the city together with other couples. - During the buddy process there are 3 intervision meetings. During these meetings you will talk to your other buddies and exchange experiences about contact with your buddy. - The 4-month process ends with a festive meeting.

Job requirements:

Listening skills, empathy, attention to emotions, recognition of differences, willingness to bring refugees into contact with Dutch society

What do you have to offer the volunteer?:

There are 3 intervision meetings during the buddy process. During these meetings you will talk to your other buddies and exchange experiences about contact with your buddy.

What makes the work worth it?:

It is educational and fun to get to know each other's culture. Both the newcomer and the Wageningen buddies are enthusiastic.

Working time:

In consultation. Period: May to October 2024

To enrol:

https://airtable.com/appXHmUAeIiHRJw4z/shrEwXfRwNxxSTD5y