organisations have strongly criticised the recep-
tion conditions in gezinslocatie family centres 8 .
A coalition of organisations including UNICEF
Netherlands, Defence for Children and the
Dutch Council for Refugees (DCR) has closely
monitored the development and expansion of
family centres since 2011. According to its find-
ings, families and in particular children in these
facilities suffer from ill health, psychological
problems and stress. Since most expulsions
occur early in the morning, some children are
afraid to go to sleep and fear being separated
from their parents and siblings. Some children
stay in family centres for years, and during this
time they have limited or no interaction with
the local community 9 .
THE PRACTICE
Happy Nest is an after-school programme
for children living in reception centres in the
Netherlands. Happy Nest provides a safe space
outside of school where children between the
ages of 6 and 12 can learn, play and develop. By
participating in recreational and educational ac-
tivities, children expand their interests, acquire
new skills, build positive relationships with oth-
er children and adults, develop resilience and
learn to cope with the stress that may be caused
by legal uncertainty, harsh reception conditions
and social exclusion. The programme als o helps
children with their homework. Happy Nest
spaces are located inside reception facilities and
include a common living area where children
can spend their free time. The programme also
makes use of other rooms and spaces within the
reception facilities for its activities. Each Happy Nest is run by two part-time
staff members, and volunteers are involved
in individual activities. Happy Nest staff have
professional training in areas such as pedagogy,
psychology and the arts. They are selected on
the basis of their experience in working with
children and their abilities.
Happy Nest spaces are open on workdays during
after-school hours until 6 p.m. Activities include
handicrafts, music and drama workshops and
sports. Children are not seen as “clients” but rather as
active participants. They are consulted about
activities and the daily routines at Happy Nest
spaces.
The programme seeks to build links with the
local community. For example, it organises
exhibitions of children’s artwork and it invites
children to participate in school trips to muse-
ums, the town hall or the fire brigade, which give
them the opportunity to interact with members
of the local community and to learn more
about Dutch society. Volunteers from the local
community help children to learn more about
Dutch culture.
8 _ See “Gezinslocaties”, Werkgroep Kind in azc, n.d., http://www.kind-in-azc.nl/gezinslocaties/.
9 _ Ibid.
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