Ter Apel Spirit
KLABU is helping to welcome unaccompanied minors to the Netherlands through our common passion and love for sports.
The situation
The images of Ter Apel, the overcrowded main registration centre for asylum seekers in the Netherlands, have not escaped anyone's attention in 2022.
Among the large crowds, a small but extremely vulnerable group of refugees caught our attention: the unaccompanied underage asylum seekers. There are few positive distractions for these young people during their stay in Ter Apel and they are dealing with boredom and trauma.
KLABU is now unlocking the power of sport in the registration centre to let the young people play, make friends and find relief.
The situation
The images of Ter Apel, the overcrowded main registration centre for asylum seekers in the Netherlands, have not escaped anyone's attention in 2022.
Among the large crowds, a small but extremely vulnerable group of refugees caught our attention: the unaccompanied underage asylum seekers. There are few positive distractions for these young people during their stay in Ter Apel and they are dealing with boredom and trauma.
KLABU is now unlocking the power of sport in the registration centre to let the young people play, make friends and find relief.
The Project
Ter Apel has a sports hall and sports fields, but there is a lack of material and people to organise activities. The KLABU clubhouse will ensure that young people in Ter Apel get moving and take the first steps towards a better future.
With the help of a library system, young people can borrow sports equipment and sportswear. Adult residents of the reception centre in Ter Apel manage this system and organise regular sports activities. Through exercise, sport and camaraderie, we hope that these brave young newcomers can build their self-confidence and feel welcome in our country.
Next steps
The sports library is open and activities have started. We are training the residents to manage the clubhouse with KLABU spirit.
In the meantime, we are busy working on our new clubhouse with the support of different organisations. The intention is to launch it early 2023.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next phases of this unique KLABU project in our home country.
Next steps
The sports library is open and activities have started. We are training the residents to manage the clubhouse with KLABU spirit.
In the meantime, we are busy working on our new clubhouse with the support of different organisations. The intention is to launch it early 2023.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next phases of this unique KLABU project in our home country.