Joanitah

My name is Joanitah Nanyondo.

I would describe myself as an outgoing and patient person. I love my family very much, and they are one of my biggest driving forces in life. I enjoy spending time with people, watching movies and learning new things. I also love nature and adventure, so I am always happy to discover a new place or have a new experience.

When I think about my future, I would like to have a life that is both peaceful and adventurous. I dream of starting my own tour company one day because I love nature, travelling and discovering new places. I would also like to pursue something in the health field. But beyond my career ambitions, I want to keep growing as a person — mentally and socially. I want to learn Dutch, make friends, understand the culture better and find my place here.

Since I came to the Netherlands, learning Dutch has been something I really wanted to do. I had already started taking Dutch classes, but meeting the volunteers from Thuis in Epe gave me something different. It gave me the chance to practise what I was learning in class in real conversations, while also learning more about Dutch culture and getting to know Dutch people. They have helped me become more comfortable with talking to people and putting myself out there. They are always welcoming and patient, and that makes it easier to try, even when I make mistakes. I think that is one of the best things about learning a language — you have to be willing to make mistakes and keep trying.

At the moment, one of my biggest concerns is my asylum process and the uncertainty about what life will look like during and after it. There are many things I don't know yet, and sometimes it is difficult not knowing what to expect. I try to focus on what I can do now: learn, meet people, grow and make the most of the opportunities around me. Something I would like people in Epe to know is that people living in the asylum centre are all different. We have our own personalities, dreams, ambitions and ways of dealing with things. We may show things differently, but we are all trying to find our way. Sometimes, just making someone feel welcome can make a bigger difference than you realise. For me, the volunteers from Thuis in Epe have done that. They don't only help us learn Dutch; they make us feel being part of the community.

They make it feel okay for us to be here. And sometimes, that feeling of being welcomed is exactly what someone
needs.