Over the past few weeks, I have shifted the focus of my LiA to ServetheCity’s language learning projects. I have started volunteering at the English4All project and, as Project Leader of the French4All Project, I have been creating new materials for lessons and overseeing new volunteer applications.
Teaching is undoubtedly my favourite aspect of the LiA. Every shift presents a new challenge that requires me to adjust my teaching style on the spot. So far, I have taught both adults and young children, switching between languages – using French and Italian to teach English, or using English to teach French.
In Week 4, my leadership skills were tested during a French4All shift, as I led a group of new volunteers for the first time. At first, I felt intimidated since both volunteers were native French speakers, and I was self-conscious about taking the leadership role as a non-native speaker. However, the shift went really well – the volunteers were enthusiastic and responsive and have both since returned! The experience was a meaningful confrontation with imposter syndrome and has reminded me to trust in my leadership and language skills.
Outside of the language learning projects, I have been volunteering at the food distribution projects at the Humanitarian Hub, the Community Kitchen and Solidarity Breakfast.
At the Community Kitchen, I have been ‘promoted’ from portioning to cooking the meals. Twice a week I now volunteer 9-5 in the kitchen, where we prepare over 500 meals daily for reception centres for asylum seekers, refugees, and people experiencing homelessness.
Volunteering at the Humanitarian Hub, a partner organisation of ServetheCity, has been eye-opening as I’ve seen the real-time impact of strict government migration policies on reception centres. Within the short time that I have been on my LiA, the Belgian government has cut 1,000 reception places in Brussels, forcing the Hub to exceptionally close its daytime reception and support services for two days due to chronic understaffing and government budget cuts.[1]
I was on shift with ServetheCity on both closure days – we were providing a limited food distribution – and BX1, the local news channel, came and filmed our shift for their story. I am in the back of a short clip, handing out coffees: https://bx1.be/categories/news/le-hub-humanitaire-de-bruxelles-ferme-deux-jours-sur-fond-de-coupes-financieres/.
I have also volunteered at the Solidarity Breakfast several times where we distribute tea, coffee and snacks to those waiting in line outside of the ‘International Protection Registration Centre’ early in the morning. On my first shift, we were shocked to find that the Centre appeared to be closed for the day. Many people had arrived as early as 5am and some had travelled from all over Belgium for their appointment. The following day was a national holiday, so presumably the employees had decided to take a long weekend, but it meant that those waiting had not been informed about the exceptional closure and its potential impact on the status of their case.
Outside of volunteering, I have been able to see more of Belgium, visiting Ghent and Bruges and further exploring Brussels.
As I enter my final weeks of the LiA, I will be focusing on developing my French4All resource pack as well as planning and attending a few special events.
[1] https://www.brusselstimes.com/2265097/brussels-humanitarian-hub-closes-for-two-days-amid-budget-cuts