Make a difference

concious contributions

The platform unearth my roots was born out of personal need: Natasja, a queer woman from an immigrant (Indo-Caribbean) background with mental health issues needed an outlet. The essence behind the platform is to cultivate compassion for ourselves, and others around us. What I didn’t have growing up, I want to give to others. Together we can heal and grow. All the materials and products available on this platform are offered with that purpose in mind, for an accessible price to support those who want to invest in their personal journey.

As an advocate of self-empowerment and mental health, there is the desire to give back to others. Through this platform, I also want to support other people like me, who are in a vulnerable position in their immigrant communities (such as women, queer people, young girls, people dealing with mental health issues, and so on). To achieve this, I will donate 5% of all proceeds through natasjawrites.com to Stichting Vobis. Together we can make conscious contributions and uplifting changes. Not just in our own lives, but also in that of others.

Stichting Vobis

Stichting Vobis, formerly known as Stichting Hindustani, is a progressively-thinking, nonprofit organization in the Netherlands that dedicates its energy on community building regardless of ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Their main focus is to create more openness and end taboos within immigrant families (especially households with children in disadvantaged positions).

A few of their goals

• breaking the stigma: everything is open for discussion, topics like suicide, depression, bullying, domestic violence, discrimination, etc.;

• work on the acceptance of sexual diversity within the community (LGBTQ+);

• stimulate the emancipation, integration, safety, and social cohesion of ethnic communities;

• promote the change of mindsets, and alternatives to behavioral patterns;

• deal with the MKB-syndrom (“Manai ka bolie” or “What will people say”).

Examples of their (past and present) projects

SuNa: The program aims to provide aftercare for survivors of suicide attempts, to guide and care for them more effectively, so to reduce the chances of another suicide attempt.

Girl Power 2020: An assertiveness training for girls between 13-18 years old with a migration background. The training consists of an intake, an information session for participants and their parents, and eight meetings of 1.5 hours during which the girls will develop their assertiveness and confidence through directive communication practices, (individual and group) coaching, kickboxing classes. Girls with a migrant background face extra obstacles in life, in comparison to non-migrant peers. They might have to deal with the needs and wishes of their parents, being stuck between cultures (with different values), and feeling lost in a culture that expects you to participate in the “we-” mentality.

RECHTEN van HET KIND: Information sessions about child abuse hosted together with other organizations (that offer a family coach, pedagogical advice, treatment for children and parents, and additional support with domestic and child abuse). The intent is to diminish child abuse within migrant communities by educating people about the early signs of child abuse, and offer alternatives in case of need.

Mind the Mind: Workshops to inform people of the importance of mental health, and to guide them in seeking treatment for mental health issues. Because there’s still a taboo on speaking about mental health issues, especially in migrant communities. These workshops are offered to increase the resilience among the vulnerable groups, and provide them with help if they need it.

(Gender) Equality and self-determination for LGBTQ+: Through conferences, accessible activities, theater, information sessions, trainings, counselors, and talking about LGBTQ+ topics, Stichting Vobis aims to spread awareness about sexual diversity, change traditional mindsets and behavior, and to facilitate the social safety of women and queer folks within migrant communities.

Hoe ga je om met je ouders?: Workshops for young women and girls with a migrant background to help them better understand themselves, and their standing in their bi-cultural world, to prevent and reduce friction between children and parents. At the same time, there are informational meetings for the parents to talk about their concerns and get targeted advice from an expert.