Lotte De Haan

Department: Man and Well being

SAMSAM

WHAT
An initiative that brings together seniors from care centres and recent arrivals in the country in a ‘language café’.

WHY
Elderly residents of care centres often have lots of time but little meaningful to do. ‘samsam’ offers them a chance to make a positive contribution to society by helping newcomers to learn Dutch through conversation lessons. The initiative champions equality, empowerment and inclusion.

HOW
Lotte de Haan created an online platform (www.samsam.org) that explains how care centres can open a language café. She guides them through the process and gives them all the tools to start and sustain the language café.

QUOTE
Everybody can be meaningful in the right context.