Non profit organisation vzw THEBE

Vzw Thebe is an non profit organisation in a former coal mine city, with a lot of migrants. At this moment Maasmechelen knows about 18 % of the citizens with another nationality but in fact about half of Maasmechelen has a history of migration. Vzw Thebe – a co-operation between two youth centres, working with youngsters in disadvantaged situations – is open for kids and youngsters from 6 until 25 and his population is a mirror of the local society. Different projects and initiatives kinds and youngsters are participating in: sports, informal education, leisure time activities in open air, cultural workshops, ... but also international projects: exchanges, sport tournaments, ... and now there is a volunteer who wants to participate as a volunteer abroad.. Vzw Thebe is also working with volunteers, even it is not so easy and obvious or evident for these youngsters. It is a long process to select and motivate youngsters to do volunteer work on local level. After some international exchanges in 2011 and 2012 there is one youngster interested in EVS. We hope that the experience of this Turkish youngster from Maasmechelen in an EVS-project can motivate and invite others to do volunteer work in their youth centre.