I see you! Haarlem - the story's

Abdelrahman: “Fashion and art have helped me stay strong. Through colors and art, I can show who I am and connect with others. I was born in Sudan and then lived in Ukraine for a while, until I had to flee that country because of the war.”
 

Mylan: “I also have different worlds inside me due to my Frisian and West African roots. Because of that, I know that people never have just one story. That also made me incredibly curious about Abdel’s story. Just like with him, fashion and design are my great passion.”

Abdelrahman: “I had already run into Mylan a while ago at a fashion show in Haarlem. When we were paired through this project, I recognized him immediately! It was special that someone I had met before was now becoming my partner in this project.”

Mylan: “We had coffee in my designer and couture shop on Warmoesstraat. I noticed how openly Abdel views the world. He is not just someone with a story about war and fleeing, but above all someone with talent, ideas, and enormous passion.”

Abdelrahman: “I haven't seen my family for perhaps fifteen years. After the war in Ukraine, the war in Sudan also started. Yet I try to keep believing that difficult experiences can make you stronger. You have to hold on to your will, work hard, and trust that you will find your way.”

Mylan: “When I experience difficult moments myself, I first go back to myself, so that I can trust again and be open to others. With Abdel, that trust is not a question mark, but a fact. He is an open book and, despite everything, a super powerful person. That inspires me. I think that with this zest for life, he can help many people.”

Abdelrahman: “I see that Mylan has beautiful green eyes. Green means growth. My wish for him? Keep growing, keep shining, and stay just as you are.”

Joep: “We live only a few hundred meters apart. Until a few months ago, I didn't even know about the asylum seekers' center. That is precisely why I wanted to participate in this project. I find it fascinating to get to know new people and cultures outside my own bubble.”

Ali: “I came to the Netherlands with a degree in civil engineering and a master's in nuclear engineering. Due to the war in Yemen, many things have been destroyed, and it became difficult to continue my studies there. I also came here because I wanted to work, but I haven't found a job that matches my education.”

Joep: “Our meeting went very naturally. We started with ordinary questions: where are you from, what do you do? After that, we went to a Yemeni restaurant together. It was mostly a lot of food and good company. Deeper conversations require time. That doesn't have to happen immediately.”

Ali: “I thought it was a good opportunity to meet new people and discover more about Haarlem. I find the people here friendly. For me, it is important to be part of society and to help others, regardless of their background.”

Joep: “What touches me about Ali is his positive attitude. He shares a room with four people, has a high level of education, but currently cannot do the work he was trained for. Yet he keeps going. I can learn a lot from that.”

Ali: “Unfortunately, I am still waiting for a decision regarding my residence permit. Still, I don’t want to wait for someone to come and help me. I am an engineer and I want to use my knowledge. I want to work, develop myself, and make a difference for others.”

Joep: “I hope Ali can get back to work as soon as possible at the level he was trained for. I can help him get started a bit, for example by forwarding his CV. But ultimately, he has to do it himself. And that is exactly what he wants.”

Renée: “Around me, I sometimes hear people speaking negatively about newcomers. I want to contribute to a different image, because no one leaves their home and family behind without a reason. Ultimately, we all want the same thing: safety, opportunities, and a place where we are welcome.”

Edidia: “Five years ago, I was forced to flee Ethiopia during my architecture studies. Now I want to continue that passion here. I think it is important that people do not see us only as vulnerable refugees. We also have skills, dreams, and possibilities.”

Renée: “Edidia studied architecture and I work at the ABC Architecture Centre Haarlem. That is why the Museum of Humanity paired us together. We met at the Grote Markt at Café Brinkmann. Funnily enough, we hardly talked about our professions. We did, however, share our life stories and discovered that we both love jazz and painting.”

Edidia: “I still find the Dutch directness hard to get used to sometimes. People easily ask personal questions. But I am learning that I am allowed to choose whether to answer. With Renée, it actually felt good to have a deep conversation. I see kindness in her eyes. She really listens, and because of that, I could be myself.”

Renée: “I see you as a human being, not as a refugee. In Edida, I see an intelligent, strong, and resilient woman. I have no doubt that Edidia can make her dreams come true. And I am sure we will see each other again soon.”

Edidia: “I want to get to know Renée better and discover more about architecture in Haarlem through her work. I look forward to meeting again. She inspires me too: she has already done various things and is now studying again. That gives me hope.”

Robert: “I came to the Netherlands as a newcomer in 2025. In Uganda, I faced discrimination because of my sexual orientation. I wanted to live somewhere where I am respected as a person and where I can be myself. That is why I came here. By now, I live in Haarlem, I work here, and I do volunteer work.”

Marc: “We met in the lunchroom where Robert works. It was a warm day, and because of his accent, I sometimes found it difficult to understand him well. I met a very friendly and positive man. He told me that he always wants to work and be busy. I recognize that.”

Robert: “When I met Marc, we discovered that we have a lot in common. We have both been teachers and both have a background in the church. I grew up in the church, but due to my sexual orientation, I couldn't be myself there. I find it special that Marc works for a church.”

Marc: “I work for the Oosterkerk in Haarlem East and am exploring how we can be meaningful to the neighborhood there again. My own experience with the church has been positive, but it can also be a difficult place for someone who is gay at times. I hope that Robert feels free and welcome here too.”

Robert: “That means a lot to me. Before I came to the Netherlands, I read that everyone here has the right to live as he or she is. I was very impressed by that. Marc is the first friend I have met here. I see him as part of my journey.”

Marc: “I hope Robert finds a safe place here, and above all, I hope he can see his family again – yes, that he can build a beautiful future here. Robert, let's embark on this journey together.”

Odeta: “I come from Lithuania and have been living in the Netherlands for almost thirty years. As a tour guide, I have traveled extensively through Ukraine. That is why I was curious about Anna and what it is like for her to live here. My motivation was to welcome a Ukrainian refugee woman.”

Anna: “Normally, I mainly talk to Ukrainians because we live in the same community. My meeting with Odeta was the first with someone outside that circle. When she discovered that I had also lived in Lithuania and we talked about it, beautiful memories came back to me.” 


Odeta: “Anna is a busy person; I am a bit calmer and more relaxed. But that didn't matter: the connection was good right away and went smoothly. She said: ‘You are really just like an old friend I’ve known for years.’ I thought that was lovely.”

Anna: “I lived in Kharkiv for about forty years. In April 2022, I fled to the Netherlands. In the beginning, it was difficult. Now I look at my situation differently. Haarlem feels like a second home to me. I love the peace, the streets, and the atmosphere.”

Odeta: “What touches me is that Anna didn't choose to leave her country herself. Freedom is very important to me: being able to decide for yourself where you live and how you want to live. I can hardly imagine not having that choice.”

Anna: “Every coin has two sides. On one side, I have lost a lot. I no longer have a home and had to start my life over. On the other side, my hands are free now. Here, I can choose for myself where I go and how I want to build my life.”

Odeta: “Will we keep seeing each other? In the Netherlands, things sometimes move fast: before you know it, you’re sitting at the same table. We are taking it slow. First, we need to get to know each other better and feel things out a bit. Maybe the rest will come later. We’ll just go for a walk together first.”