Our ambassadors
Meet our five Refugee Walk ambassadors. All of them are people who are committed to our event and would also like to convince you to participate. Each of them has a special motivation to participate in the Refugee Walk. Some of them have walked before and know only too well what a strong signal it is to participate in large numbers and show how much solidarity there is with refugees. Some of them have fled themselves and know how important it is to feel that solidarity and support. All are familiar with the work of Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen and know how we try to make a difference for people on the run.
Read below why, one by one, they participate in the Refugee Walk and get inspired.
 |
Of course, we remember Sally from last year! Sally is a Syrian artist, singer, filmmaker and entrepreneur. This creative jack-of-all-trades fled her homeland with her husband and son in 2015 and started the successful Syrian restaurant 'Dilbi' here. Last year, we had the honour of welcoming her to the Refugee Walk to provide lunch. Her message? "The best part is that this event includes everyone. It makes people feel part of this society. I also love the idea of introducing cultures at events like this. It's hidden, but also so obvious. The Refugee Walk really brings everyone together. My restaurant follows the same line, we have the same goals. And that's why I'm participating again this year!" |
 |
Muhammed (28) fled Turkey via Greece. Upon arrival in Belgium, he became friends with his current wife's brother. Meanwhile, they got married and have a baby daughter. Muhammed studies design and production technology at Odisee Ghent. He already participated in the Refugee Walk twice, to tell his story during the walk. His message? "If you have fled yourself, come along for the walk and tell people your story. If people don't hear your story they will never understand what you went through." |
 |
Lore (26) is doing research at Ugent on sexual violence during the asylum procedure, at Belgian and European level. In the distant past, she also participated in the organisation of the Refugee Walk as a job student. Lore is eager to commit to the Refugee Walk again and will walk the 20 km this year. Her message for other walkers? "It sends a tremendously strong message to walk with so many people, in which you show your support for people with a refugee past. Apart from the symbolic, of course you also collect money, which is also effectively used for something. Especially today where the rights of asylum seekers are so under pressure, I think it's really very important!" |
 |
Joran, Nazir and Osamah are the representatives of PSC Youth. PSC is an organisation dedicated to young people aged between 17 and 25, who arrive in Belgium without parents and family. They offer them a warm welcome, with living room activities, contact with peers, activities, low-threshold assistance and help and guidance towards all kinds of integration. Joran, Nazir and Osamah are participating in this year's Refugee Walk with the rest of their organisation. They plan to walk the 40 km. Their message? "The Refugee Walk is the perfect time for us to be able to chat with others and everyone you meet is like-minded! As icing on the cake, delicious food is also provided."
|
 |
Sigrid (41 years old) has been working with heart and soul as a teacher in OKAN education (Reception Class for Other-Speaking Newcomers) for about 13 years. Sigrid has participated in the Refugee Walk twice before and will participate again this year. Sigrid believes that everyone has the right to a safe place. In OKAN, she has been working for years with a lot of young people who have fled, where she absorbed different stories. It made her put aside her shyness and help raise awareness of the Refugee Walk. Her message? "Definitely participate! It's a really fun experience to walk with. Should you not be so sporty anyway... Donate a penny |
Pictures made by Sanad Latefa.
