Turning Tables
What is Turning Tables?
At Turning Tables, we believe in the power of connection, community, and shared experiences. We believe in the power of humanity: seeing through our conditioning and in (keeping) coming together. Based in Amsterdam, our non-profit organization is dedicated to bridging the gap between residents of asylum centers and non-residents of the asylum centers: fostering understanding and unity through a variety of initiatives.
Turning Tables wants to lead by example and wants to see the world come together. In harmony.
What do we do?
Community Dinners
Our community dinners are the key and heart of Turning Tables, and, initially where it all started: gathered, sharing a meal and stories, around the table.
The monthly community dinners are truly the festivity of the month and a moment where we all come together. A moment, a place and space where everybody and everyone is invited too. A moment where the sense of belonging, community, and humanity is created and is being celebrated. Residents and non-residents from the asylum centers are invited to the table and share (more than) a meal together.
Together with both residents from asylum centers as well as non-residents from the asylum center, we prepare and make the most delicious traditional recipes from homelands all over the world, we share culinary traditions, stories, an evening, and a life-long lasting memory. The dinners are an invitation to challenge your thoughts, and judgments, break barriers, foster dialogue, and create a sense of belonging.
Gathered around the table food is being eaten, and enjoyed, stories are being shared, friendships are being built and a community is being formed.
Turning Tables Taal Café
The Turning Tables Taal Café opens weekly her doors to (and by) eager language learners and volunteers to come together and learn together: open to all people who are interested in learning the Dutch language and having a fun time.
Together we transform venues into vibrant and informal settings where, naturally, a new language wants to be learned: with coffee, tea, snacks, and on Monday evenings even a home-cooked warm meal.
Language is the key to integration and empowerment. It truly is the first step to making oneself feel comfortable in a new country and a new environment. Learning the language helps build confidence and the possibility to confidently interact with the people around you, communicate, and build new friendships.
Since the language café is fully run by Dutch-speaking volunteers, locals living in the city, the classes offer an amazing opportunity for different worlds and languages to come together and for newcomers to connect with their neighbours in a welcoming setting.
Fundraising
At Turning Tables, we are also committed to raising awareness and funds for critical global issues. We have organized fundraisers to support causes such as the ongoing crises in Palestine and Sudan. Through these efforts, we aim to extend our impact beyond our local community, standing in solidarity with those affected by conflict and injustice worldwide.
We do that what is necessary to do in order to strive for a more human world and bring back humanity.
“We currently, and always will, stand up for inhumane situations in life. We stand up for all people that are getting inhumane treatment from Palestine, to Yemen, to Sudan and everywhere in between.”
Building Community Through Stories
Our work is driven by the belief that everyone has a story: a story to tell, a story to share, and, a story that must be heard. Because only by getting to know one another we get to know one another. In collaboration with residents from the GALAXY asylum center in Amsterdam, we have launched a newsletter that shares the voices and experiences of refugees. This platform serves as a space where stories are unfolded and discovered, helping to build a deeper understanding and connection within our community.