A Personal Note: Our 2026 Journey
The dream has always been there, but last spring it finally came down to one daunting question: Is it time to start this journey on my own?
After some deep heart-to-heart conversations about leaving ASKV, the path became clear in June. I was going to do it. And almost as if the universe was listening, Bonnie reached out about a workspace in the historic Tetterode building just days later. It felt like a sign that we were exactly where we were meant to be. 🌿
It takes a village…
I am so moved by the wave of kindness that turned an empty room into our home base. Our community stepped up in ways I never dared to imagine:
- Large desks from HVO-Querido where 16 of us can now sit together.
- Chairs lent by our wonderful neighbors at Tetterode.
- A cozy sofa from De Oost Bespoke Tailoring.
- The excellent painting job by Lloyd Vroom
- Essential tech donated by Museumplus Bus.
For months, we kept things simple, not knowing how long we could stay. But in november, we got a pleasant surprise: We officially have the contract for our space! 🎉
This is about more than just four walls. It means we can finally register our Foundation officially. We are also incredibly lucky to have Michael Schouten (De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek) by our side, guiding us through the legal journey with so much warmth and care. To everyone who has donated, lent a hand, or offered a kind word—thank you. You are the wind beneath our wings. 🕊️
What does the Ubuntu Embassy stand for?
At our core, we believe everyone deserves to be heard. We help people find—or rediscover—their own voice. When you find your voice, you find your strength and you become visible. We strive to be the face and the voice for our friends in the undocumented and migrant communities who have been pushed to the margins for too long.
Our Community in Action ⚡
The spirit of Ubuntu is already alive and kicking in Amsterdam, even before we got registered:
Exodus Nights: A moving evening at the Oosterpark Church where ambassadors shared their personal journeys.
Sudan Evening: Standing in solidarity at BREEN to shine a light on “the war we don’t hear about.”
Let’s Talk (NW): Our weekly “living room” at De Honingraat (Wednesdays, 17:00-21:00). Come share a meal, learn a language, or play a game!
Moving Hearts: Our calisthenics workout partner, building physical and mental strength together through sport.
Lion’s Heart: A football team founded by the Sudanese community, proving that teamwork and passion know no borders.
Our doors are always open🚪
Whether you want to visit us at Tetterode or join us for a meal at De Honingraat, we would love to meet you. Thank you for being part of our story.
Who is allowed to work? And who is excluded?
From obstacles to a shared quest: a voice for everyone
On February 19, a special meeting took place. In collaboration with the FNV (as a result of the internal International Trade Union Work training) we organized an evening regarding the accessibility of the BSN registration process. The focus was on an important theme: the structural exclusion of, in particular, asylum seekers of (Sub-Saharan) African descent.
No blame, but a constructive dialogue based on the Ubuntu philosophy. We listened to powerful real-life stories. These experiences are the key to making our systems humane again. After all, registration is more than a number; it is the path to dignity and participation.
Many thanks to the representatives of ChristenUnie, GroenLinks-PvdA and VONK, and the members of FNV Arbeidsmigratie for their keen insight into the BRP lobby.
The evening concluded beautifully with a spoken word performance by Kingsley Olabode (King Phoenix).
The Unheard Stories of Refugees
Substantive expertise and cultural connection: a platform for invisible stories
On January 27, the Ubuntu Embassy was dedicated to dialogue and culture. Together with the ChristenUnie Amsterdam, we dove deep into the world of undocumented refugees/migrants.
What made this evening so special?
Asylum lawyer Maartje Terpstra provided insight into the gap between policy and humanity and spoke about her book ‘Geen Weg Terug’ (No Way Back).
Four of our Ubuntu Ambassadors showed the audience a swinging Maganda dance.
There was a panel discussion about putting words into action: what can we do to give asylum seekers a fair chance in The Netherlands?
King Phoenix took the audience along in his powerful spoken word performance.