Young asylum seeker in Hof van Twente builds a new life with resilience and hope
Eighteen-year-old Taha, who fled Syria alone at 16, shares his journey of learning Dutch, pursuing education, and working toward independence in the Netherlands. His story highlights the challenges and aspirations of young asylum seekers in emergency shelters.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Taha |
| Age | 18 |
| Country of Origin | Syria |
| Current Location | Emergency shelter in Hof van Twente (previously Delden and Hengelo) |
| Education | Assistant in Service, Care, and Welfare program at ROC Twente, Hengelo |
| Employment | Hospitality industry (deliveries and food preparation) |
| Shelter Capacity (Markelo) | 75 asylum seekers |
| Shelter Capacity (Delden) | 50 spots for unaccompanied minor foreigners (AMV) |
| Managing Agency | Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) |
| Municipality Involvement | Regular neighborhood consultations and participation in COA activities |
| National Neighbor Day | Open house activities organized by COA in September |
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) is responsible for providing temporary shelter and support to asylum seekers in the Netherlands, including minors like Taha. The municipality of Hof van Twente collaborates with COA to ensure integration and community engagement through consultations and activities.
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A personal story from emergency shelter
Currently, there are two emergency shelter locations for asylum seekers in the municipality of Hof van Twente. A vacant former primary school in Markelo temporarily accommodates 75 asylum seekers. The residents come from various age groups and nationalities. The shelter in Delden, located near the Aparthotel, has 50 spots specifically for unaccompanied minor foreigners (AMV). Both locations are managed by the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). In Hof van Twente, the COA locations maintain regular contact with the community through frequent neighborhood consultations. The municipality also always participates in these meetings. Additionally, the COA organizes activities on the national Neighbor Day in September, usually in the form of an open house. To gain a better understanding of the world of these young people living in shelters, the municipality spoke with 18-year-old Taha.
In conversation with Taha
Taha: “I feel safe here and can finally work on my future.” The 18-year-old Taha has been living in the Netherlands for over a year and a half. He arrived in the Netherlands alone from Syria at the age of sixteen, seeking safety and a new future. He is now pursuing the Assistant in Service, Care, and Welfare program at ROC Twente in Hengelo and previously lived with other young people at the shelter in Delden (location for Unaccompanied Minor Foreigners, AMV) and, more recently, in Hengelo. Despite a turbulent past, Taha exudes positivity and perseverance.
“When I came to the Netherlands, I didn’t speak a word of Dutch or English,” he says with a smile. “I could only speak Arabic. But I really wanted to learn. Now I can simply talk to people—at school, at work, and with my mentors. That makes me proud.” In addition to his studies, Taha works in the hospitality industry, helping with deliveries and food preparation. He doesn’t have much free time, but when he does, he enjoys swimming or playing football with friends. “Sports help me relax,” he says. “And I also learn a lot from the people around me. They help me with the language, and I learn new words every day.” What strikes him most about the Netherlands? “People here are friendly and open. Everyone is equal, and I feel safe. That’s something I no longer knew in Syria.” He also finds the bicycles remarkable: “Almost everyone here has two or three bikes, for work or hobbies. At first, I found that very funny!”
His story is impressive. The journey to the Netherlands was difficult and dangerous. “I spent 28 hours on a small boat with 150 people. No water, no food—luckily, I made it. And now I want to make something good of my life.”
Despite all the uncertainties—he is still awaiting clarity on his residence status—he remains positive: “I think about my future every day. I want to earn my diploma, continue my studies, and later help others. Maybe in healthcare or as a social worker. Once I have my driver’s license, I can work more and become independent.”
Taha emphasizes that many young people in the reception center are working hard on their futures. “We all want to learn, work, and build a good life. Sometimes people only hear negative stories about refugees, but that’s not fair. Most young people actually want to contribute. We are motivated, friendly, and doing our best.”
His biggest dream? “To earn my diploma and find a stable place. And hopefully, one day, see my family again. Until then, I’ll keep going, stay positive, and work hard. Because I know: if I do my best, things will turn out well.”
Taha embodies resilience: with an open mind, a lot of humor, and a big heart, he is gradually building a safe future in the Netherlands.