In Bomal, young people in exile find the space to be teenagers again

In the garden bordering the forest, a ball flies from one group to another. Nearby, young people improvise a water-gun battle. Others dance, film videos or chat with the educators.

In Bomal, the Youth in Transit groups from Brussels and Liège came together for a summer camp. The programme included kayaking, swimming, a barbecue, football, volleyball and group activities. Simple holiday moments, just like many other young people enjoy during the summer.

But for the young people at the camp, those simple moments carry a special meaning.

The young people supported by Youth in Transit arrived in Belgium alone, without their parents or a legal guardian. Once they obtain a residence permit or reach a new stage in their procedure, they gradually leave collective reception centres to move towards more independent living. In both Liège and Brussels, Caritas provides them with transitional housing and personalised support.

This transition requires them to quickly learn how to manage their accommodation, budget, schooling, appointments and administrative procedures. Many also worry about the family members they left behind, think about family reunification or feel the pressure to earn an income as soon as possible.

Becoming independent is an essential step in their journey. But it can also weigh heavily on the shoulders of young people who are still teenagers.

Rest, play and leisure are not secondary to young people’s development: they are rights recognised by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. For young people marked by exile, separation from their families and uncertainty about the future, these shared experiences can also strengthen their sense of safety, social connections and self-confidence.

Mohabbat, 18, arrived in Belgium from Afghanistan in 2021. He sums up the camp in a few simple words: “We’re on holiday. We do lots of activities and really enjoy ourselves.” Speaking about the team members who have supported him since his arrival, he adds: “They’ve helped me so much.”

His testimony reminds us of a reality that is often overlooked in discussions about migration: young people in exile are not defined by their administrative journey or the hardships they have faced. They also have interests, a sense of humour, friendships, ambitions and the desire to fully experience their youth.

Youth in Transit supports unaccompanied minors aged approximately 15 to 18 as they move towards a more independent life. Active in Brussels, Liège and Mechelen, the project offers individual studio flats or shared accommodation, depending on the location. The teams support young people with their education, daily life, administrative procedures, access to housing and the development of a social network.

The aim is not to do things for them, but to equip them with the skills and confidence they need to gradually become independent.

Being independent does not mean facing everything alone. A young person who knows who to turn to when difficulties arise has more resources to find solutions independently. The camp helps build that relationship of trust in a setting that is very different from everyday life.

Throughout the year, interactions with the team are often shaped by appointments and administrative procedures. In Bomal, young people and staff cook, play and take part in the same activities together. These shared moments strengthen relationships and make the support provided afterwards even more meaningful.

After more than eight years of participating in these camps, Samir observes the same pattern every time: “Even after the very first day, you can already see a change in the attitude of both the colleagues and the young people.” Sometimes, just a few days are enough to create a fresh start.

The camp also hosted an activity organised as part of the European POWER2UAMs project, in collaboration with NADOE and Caritas International’s advocacy team.

The project aims to improve unaccompanied minors’ access to essential services — including education, housing, healthcare and protection — while giving them a stronger voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

The insights gathered through these activities are then translated into recommendations, training sessions and advocacy actions aimed at sustainably improving policies and services for unaccompanied minors.