News & activities

AI as a tool for newcomers

“Who uses ChatGPT often?” Janik, Sonali, and Faritsa asked the group that had gathered for their workshop at Plan Einstein. We were surprised by how many hands went up! And it’s not surprising, really, because if you’re new to the Netherlands, don’t speak the language, and don’t know exactly how…

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Yallah Sabaya

Yallah Sabaya: An Unforgettable Evening! Every six months, BAK (Foundation for Contemporary Art) transforms into a vibrant center where women of different nationalities and cultures come together to dance and sing. What a wonderful energy and atmosphere! Women from diverse backgrounds come together to dance, laugh, and enjoy each other’s…

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The Province’s Opportunity Creation Team paid us a visit!

Recently, we had some special visitors at the reception center on Joseph Haydnlaan: the Opportunity Creation Team from the Province of Utrecht! We were asked if there was anything we could do to support the residents, something that would really benefit them. It can sometimes be difficult for residents of…

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Soccer players from all azc’s gather during indoor soccer tournament

On Friday, February 28, 20 teams from various shelters in the Utrecht region gathered at Sportcentrum Galgenwaard, FC Utrecht’s stadium, for the S.v.e.T. indoor soccer tournament 2025. What a great day it was! The participants could not only be active, but also do some networking here and there! This event…

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Nowruz at Pahud

Today at 10:01 a.m., spring began, and this means it is also therefore Noruz (or Persian New Year)! Noruz is celebrated in a big way especially by Iranians, Kurds, Afghans and Azerbaijanis and symbolizes the return of the sun and of light. During Nowruz you can find the Haft Sin…

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Our refugee football team in the spotlights!

How proud we are of our soccer team from azc Joseph Haydnlaan and how much media attention they received last week (deservedly!)! The team was founded a few months ago following the example of Wageningen, where they already had a soccer team with players from the asylum seekers’ center.

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Stained glass with oil pastel chalk

Last week, Anita conducted a stained glass workshop with oil pastel chalk for the residents of Star Lodge. Many of them participated in this workshop and it was a new and enjoyable experience, even for those without painting experience. Fahima, one of the participants, said that this was the first…

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Taarten van Babel at Pahud!

The film crew from Taarten van Babel stopped by the Pahud! Thais talked about how she and her mother fled Nicaragua and about the different asylum centers they lived in in the Netherlands. One of those places was asylum center Pahud and she talks about her time there. Meanwhile, she…

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Special attention for the kids at Joseph Haydnlaan

There are so many kind and warm people in Utrecht who support us by offering beautiful activities to, for example, the children in the asylum center! Children who really feel their parents’ stress, but don’t always understand…. Over the past few weeks, we were able to let people relax and…

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Volunteer Tineke in the sewing workshop

A few weeks ago it was Tineke’s birthday. Tineke volunteers at the Star Lodge and comes to the sewing workshop every Friday to help people repair or make clothes. Tinekes dedication to this makes her immensely loved! She decided to share her birthday joy with residents of the Star Lodge…

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