PARTNER: The centre for asylum seekers in Nonceveux 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
cultural and sports activities
The centre “L'Amblève” - derived from the river along the centre - can host up to 220 residents. The centre
hosts different kind of family situations : families, childless couples but mostly isolated persons and 24
unaccompanied minors.
The infrastructure of the centre enable it to have, beside the usual accommodation facilities, some
convivial areas such as a refectory, a library, TV lounges, a games library, a sports hall,...
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 a breath of fresh air to the
residents of the centre.
Volunteers will take part in the community life of the centre and their tasks will consist of, on the one
hand, some renovation works in the centre, and on the other hand, the organisation of entertainment
activities for residents:
- Diverse renovation works will be carried out together with the technical team of the centre (for
instance: renovation of some bedrooms, cleaning, painting, recycling workshops,...)
- Various activities for the residents organized with the workers in order to understand better the
way the centre works:
- Environmental awareness activities for residents: workshops, nature walk, cleaning the
area surrounding the centre,...
- Sport competitions (badminton, indoor football,...) - Intercultural meal with external guests
- Entertainment activities for adults: board games, film club,... (depending of volunteers'
initiatives)
- Support to the games library
- After school homework help program (for children and teenagers of the centre)
- Barbecue
- Walk in the wood
ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will sleep in the available bedrooms within the centre. Showers and
toilets will be provided.
FOOD: Volunteers will have their meals in the restaurant of the centre with the residents. If you have a
special diet, please let us know in advance.
LOCATION : Nonceveux is a small village in the
province of Liège, in Wallonia, the Frenchspeaking
part of Belgium. The village is about 30
minutes away from the city of Liège. The centre is
located along a river, “l'Amblève”, and is
surrounded by green hills. The centre is very
isolated and there is very little access to public
transportation.
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. Alcohol is formally prohibited in the centre.
LANGUAGES : English, but some
knowledge of French is useful.
TERMINAL : Brussels International
Airport (Zaventem) or Brussels South
Airport (Charleroi), meeting point at
Aywaille train station on 12/09. Train
timetables on www.b-rail.be/main/F/