Mohamed Bellaaziz (37) has a heart for books and poetry, especially Arabic writers. When he is planting tomatoes in his garden and works with the soil with his hands, he feels at ease. He teaches social orientation and integration at Atlas, an organization where immigrants learn Dutch and find their place in Antwerp. “I feel…
Shadyaneh is helping newcomers with integration and inclusion as a counsellor at Atlas. The organization helped her with integration when she came from Iran to Antwerp 18 years ago. She left her home country and came to Belgium to experience freedom. “The first time when I rode a bike in Belgium and felt the wind…
“I am lucky to have been born in Belgium, but I was unlucky to have been born in the family that I had. My creativity was my survival in the past, and it became my power. I understand how something feels, by being that myself. People, wherever you are in this world or in whatever…
For Michelle, working as a psychologist with recovering addicts is especially close to herheart, since she also suffered from an eating disorder, an addiction that often goes unnoticed in a culture obsessed with thinness. Her ED flew under the radar until she went to university, and she describes it as an obsession that no one…
As a recovered drug and alcohol addict, David has devoted himself to offering otheraddicts a better chance at life through Reset, an organization aimed at providing people who are struggling with addiction the tools and the safe space they need to recover. With complete candor and an open heart, David reflects on his life before…
“Working in the nature has always been a passion for me. It is how I finish my day and how I fulfil a perfect evening. Over the last five years, I have spent my time working on a bee hotel at ‘De Vinken’. Besides making a wood sculpture of my beloved wife, the nature has…
“I finally see a future for myself“, says Sohil after only being in Belgium for nine months. Sohil was born and raised in Afghanistan but in 2022, his family decided to come to Belgium. He now goes to school in Antwerp to learn the Dutch language at OKAN school centre. Sohil hopes that he can…
Scarlett (21) is a bright and optimistic youngster who has discovered true happiness in Betonne Jeugd, an Belgian organization dedicated to supporting young individuals who are facing difficulties with their homes or schools. For the last eight years, Scarlett has become a part of what she refers to as her “second, crazy family”. Through this…
The first thing you notice is that he’s always smiling, with gentle, kind eyes. Ahmad Shah (15) is a concise person, frugal with words, lover of nature, and Indian Bollywood. He currently lives in Antwerp, Belgium. A lot of things make Ahmad happy. Being in Antwerp is the first. Sports and school are thesecond. At…
Nick is a determined and accomplished painter who refused to let anyone tell him he couldn’t succeed. Though he struggled with loneliness and difficult family relationships for many years, Nick found a healthy outlet in making music and eventually found support through Betonne Jeugd. With the help of the organization, Nick has learned to manage…
