In recent years millions of people have fled horrendous war zones and endured treacherous journeys to reach safer lands in the hope of living in peace. What so many have seen and experienced is unimaginable and up on arriving in a safe haven, the prospect of cultural transition following such trauma is daunting. It is from this place of empathy that two UWC Maastricht parents, Emma Bendall and Poyer Conforte, along with a fellow Maastricht International Playgroup member, formed the weekly playgroup called International Friends Play (IFPlay).

The intent was to support the most socially isolated refugees living in the Asiel Zoekers Centrum (AZC) of Maastricht - mothers and their young children - who are, thus, supported by IF Play in their transition to the shelter and to a permanent home within the community, while building lasting relationships that help them feel at home again.

Each week since December 1st 2015, IFPlay has provided a safe space outside the refugee shelter for mothers to socialize with other mothers in the community. Toys and snacks are provided for the children followed by a music class. Emma and Poyer explain : “Once shy and reluctant to join in, the children now dance and shout with excitement. It delights us all to see their confidence growing”.

Attendance at IFPlay grew rapidly and it became so popular that they decided to form a new entity, International Friends Share (IFShare), with a larger team of volunteers. A dedicated core of UWC Maastricht parents runs this project: Alexandra Katerberg, Walaa El Hindy, Mira de Leeuw, and Ann McBride. Together they coordinate collection and distribution of donated items, and collate and disseminate information in multiple languages. The IFShare team now welcomes an average of 70 visitors within a 3-hour period every week.

With the growth of the projects, Emma and Poyer also formally partnered with a local non-profit refugee support organization, Not Just A Number, giving them access to a broader collaborative environment.

“The wealth of wisdom, skill, and diversity on our volunteer teams has ensured the success of these projects and ongoing support of AZC Maastricht refugees. But it is our commitment to serve community – our shared UWC philosophy – which holds us firmly together”. UWC parents have purchased supplies, provided multiple language translations for flyers and posters, given clothing and household donations, repaired a dozen bicycles (donated by UWC Maastricht), fetched, carried, sorted and resorted many tonnes of clothing and most importantly they have given many hours of their time.

More than 30 UWC Maastricht parents AZC residents, university students, and locals volunteer regularly for IFPlay and IFShare projects.

“UWC parents are now an integral part of the cultural experience that is shaping the social integration of hundreds of refugees seeking a new life in the Netherlands. In turn, our lives have been enriched as we each discover that we are all cut from the same cloth and by working together we can flourish”, Emma and Poyer conclude.