PARTNER: The centre for asylum seekers in Yvoir is one of the 18 reception centres managed by the Red
Cross in Belgium. Asylum seekers come from Palestine, Guinea, Congo, Kosovo, Iraq, Syria and other parts
of the world. They left their country for different reasons such as forced marriage, war, persecution due to
religion, sexual orientation or political opinion. Many of them were separated from their family, and they
found themselves without any resource or shelter. The Red Cross is mandated by the government for the
reception of asylum seekers, and its work in this area adheres to its principles of humanity, independence
and neutrality.
The centres provide the following services :
accommodation and food
necessary hygienic means
support and monitoring on the asylum
procedure and social support
medical support
compulsory education for minors
French courses
cultural and sports activities
The centre “Pierre Bleue” can host 120 residents. The diversity and different sizes of the rooms enable this
centre to host all kind of family situations: large families, childless couples, single mothers with babies,
single men or women, as well as unaccompanied minors. The Infrastructure of the centre enable it to
organize the reception of asylum seekers in small common areas which consist of ten bedrooms, a shared
bathroom, kitchen, dining room and living room. Residents are therefore given a lot of autonomy as they
have to prepare their own meals.
WORK : The aim of this workcamp is not only to raise volunteers' awareness about migration issues and
enable them to have a personal approach to this topic, but also to bring reflection about society's issues to
the residents of the centre.
The main thematic of this workcamp is environmental sustainability. Priority will be given to waste sorting
and recycling and energy savings. Volunteers will organise awareness activities about environment and
waste sorting for the residents of the centre. Visits will be organised in order to illustrate these activities.
It is asked to volunteers to think in advance about an activity related to recycling (for instance: craft from
waste materials,...) and to prepare a presentation about sorting, recycling and energy savings systems in
their own country. This presentation will allow to compare the situation in different countries and to
launch debates with residents and other volunteers.
The remaining time will be devoted to leisure
activities with residents of the centre. Volunteers
will be invited to propose and organise activities
with the children and adults in order to get to
know each other better in a friendly atmosphere.
Activities can be games, sports, creative
workshops, outdoor activities,...
ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay inside the centre, where they will be divided in several rooms. A
kitchen, as well as showers and toilets will be provided.
FOOD: Volunteers will be provided with a kitchen where they will cook for themselves.
LOCATION: Yvoir is small village of 9000 inhabitants in a rural area in the Province of Namur. It is
located about 30 minutes away from the city of Namur, capital city of Wallonia, the French-speaking
region of Belgium. The centre is located in an isolated rural area in the middle of nature.
SPECIFIC INFORMATION: Volunteers are asked to prove a certain interest for the topic of migration and to
be willing to interact with asylum seekers. Experience in animation (games, song, entertainment activities,
dance...) will be highly appreciated.
A project-related motivation letter is required.
Volunteers will have to respect the regulations of the centre and the Red Cross principles. Alcohol is
formally prohibited in the centre.
LANGUAGES : English, but some notions of French are useful.
TERMINAL : Brussels International Airport (Zaventem) or Brussels South Airport (Charleroi), meeting at
Yvoir train station on 06/07. Train timetables on www.b-rail.be/main/F/