“Sharing everything and helping others; that’s how we are in Egypt and Rotterdam,” says Gihan from Egypt. She came here at the age of 21 because her husband was asked to work here in marketing. Their first home was in Lombardijen. The change from Egypt to Rotterdam took some getting used to. “I came here in the winter, which was cold! I missed my family and friends. And I had to learn the language, which was difficult.”
Fortunately, Gihan didn’t give up easily. She learned Dutch from older people who gave free Dutch lessons at a community center. She also looked for new friends: once she had mastered the language sufficiently, she volunteered at various organizations such as Careyn and the toy library. When her husband’s job ended, they started a Dutch snack bar. Gihan started both a flower shop and a travel agency. Unfortunately, these ventures were not successful, but Gihan had gained experience.
Making Rozenburg their home
The couple now lived in the Afrikaanderwijk neighborhood and had children. They felt that the tram in front of their house was too dangerous for them and wanted a parking space in front of their door. So they moved to Rozenburg. Here, too, she felt welcome. “I have very good neighbors here,” Gihan laughs. Rozenburg is less diverse than the rest of Rotterdam, but that doesn’t matter to Gihan. “Back when we lived in Lombardijen, there weren’t many Rotterdammers of other nationalities either. And we just live together; I see everyone as human beings. And everyone is nice here.”
They had to get to know everyone in this part of Rotterdam all over again and make it their home. But this time it was easier than before in Lombardijen or the Afrikaanderwijk. “Because now we had daughters. They often went outside, which meant we came into contact with other parents more quickly.” And Gihan contributed to the neighborhood again by doing volunteer work. She helped newcomers at Vluchtelingenwerk (Refugee Work) as a social worker and interpreter. That’s how she ended up at the DIA foundation in Rozenburg, where she still helps out. She enjoys this work so much that she has even started training to become a social worker again. “I love being able to do something for others.”
Helping and sharing
They help anyone who needs it. “My husband recently helped an elderly German couple on the highway. They wanted to give us five euros as a thank you, but that’s not necessary. We were happy to help.” The couple brought this mentality with them from Egypt. “There, you share everything you have. You don’t think about what you’ll get out of it yourself.” Every year, the couple also hands out cookies during Eid al-Fitr. Or just pizza they’ve made or tomatoes or figs they’ve harvested from their own garden. The couple is now well known in Rozenburg. “Ramadan is coming up again. And now our neighbors have already asked if they’ll get cookies again!” laughs Gihan.
She also notices that some of the people she wants to help are not honest. “For example, I wanted to help someone bring their family members to the Netherlands. But she gave me false information. Then I can’t help. You have to be honest.”
Her wish for Rozenburg for the future is aimed at young people: “They have nothing to do. So they do crazy things out of boredom. They need something to do.”