MEET THE TEAM

Every volunteer has a story to tell. For Denys Timchenko, volunteering with Umbrella Refugee Committee (URC) has been an opportunity to contribute to the community, share his skills and build meaningful connections with others.

As a Ukrainian under temporary protection in Belgium, Denys brings his experience and enthusiasm to URC’s Communications Unit, helping strengthen the organisation’s visibility and outreach. In this interview, he shares his journey with URC, his volunteering experience and the connections that make the organisation a community.

Q1:Could you introduce yourself briefly

“My name is Denys, and I am a Ukrainian under temporary protection in Belgium. Outside my volunteering, I study at a university, do photography, and like to hike when I have time”.

Q2:How/when did you come to URC ?

“Starting off as a beneficiary of Rainbow Refugee Committee, I then volunteered with one of the refugee communities and at that time cooperated closely with URC in the field of communications and project implementation. In August 2025, I started volunteering with URC itself.”

Q3:What has been your role/project in URC?

 “I am a volunteer in URC’s Communications Unit contributing to the external visibility and outreach. I have also involved myself in “Refugee-led Mobile Teams”.

Q4: Has there been any fond memory for you at URC?

“Yes, many in fact! The fondest memories I have remind me why URC is described as a community-based organisation. It’s not only about members’ identities. It’s about the connections that people in URC have and form with each other.”

Thank you, Denys, for sharing your story and experiences with us. We truly appreciate your time, dedication and contribution to the Umbrella Refugee Committee community.

Q1:     Could you introduce yourself briefly

My name is Yiğit Özdemir, and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Global Governance in Brussels. I have a background in History and Media & Visual Arts, and I am particularly interested in migration, human rights, and communication.

Q2:     How/when did you come to URC?

I joined the Umbrella Refugee Committee as an intern in September 2026. I was drawn to URC because of its commitment to refugee-led initiatives and its work supporting refugee communities in Belgium. I wanted to contribute to an organization where refugees have an active voice in shaping their own communities.

Q3:      What has been your role/project in URC?

My main responsibilities involve communication and website development. I have been working on updating the URC website, creating pages for different refugee committees, collecting volunteer stories, and supporting the organization’s communication activities.

Q4: Has there been any fond memory for you at URC?

One of my fondest experiences has been getting to know volunteers from different backgrounds and hearing their personal stories. I especially enjoy seeing how much dedication people bring to supporting their communities. These conversations have reminded me that behind every initiative there are people, experiences, and meaningful connections.

(Optional): What is a word or phrase from your language that you wish everyone knew?

Seni Seviyorum (which means I Love You in Turkish).

Thank you, Yiğit, for sharing your story and experiences with us. We truly appreciate your time, dedication and contribution to the Umbrella Refugee Committee community.

Q1:      Could you introduce yourself briefly ?

My name is Nour, and I am originally from Jordan, currently living in Belgium. I have an academic and professional background in European affairs, migration, and international relations. I am passionate about human rights, cultural diversity, and contributing to initiatives that bring people together and make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Q2:      How/when did you come to URC?

I first came to URC through a community service course during my studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). I really enjoyed working with the team, being part of the community, and contributing to its activities. After completing the course, I decided to continue volunteering because I found the experience meaningful and wanted to remain involved.

Q3:      What has been your role/project in URC ?

Through my volunteering, I have had the opportunity to contribute to URC’s activities and support its work. It has been a valuable opportunity to put my skills, time, and personal commitment towards a meaningful cause.

Q4: Has there been any fond memory for you at URC?

Honestly, every moment at URC has become a memory, from preparing reports and meeting people from all over the world to witnessing how human connection goes beyond nationality, background, or political labels. One particularly special memory was when we visited the university together and everyone had the opportunity to speak about their work, share their experiences, and show what they are capable of. It reminded me that being a refugee should never define someone as a victim. Refugees have voices, talents, ambitions, and the ability to make a difference. What I value most about URC is being part of an organisation that gives people the opportunity to be heard, contribute, and become part of the change.

(Optional): What is a word or phrase from your language that you wish everyone knew?

“إنسانية” (Insāniyya) Humanity.

Hob  حب  love.

Thank you, Nour, for taking the time to share your journey with us. Your insights and commitment are truly valued, and we are grateful to have you as part of our community.

Q1: Pourriez-vous vous présenter brièvement ?

Je m’appelle Vincent MUNYERARI, je suis bénévole d’URC en tant que membre de la communauté burundaise.

Q2: Comment et quand avez-vous rejoint l’URC ?

J’ai rejoint l’URC depuis Décembre 2024 jusqu’aujourd’hui.

Q3: Quel a été votre rôle ou votre projet au sein de l’URC ?

Je suis affecté dans le projet des maraudes et là je suis parmi les coordinateurs des activités de maraude sur terrain. Mon rôle est d’organiser et coordonner les activités.

Q4: Avez-vous un souvenir particulièrement marquant de votre expérience au sein de l’URC ?

Les souvenirs marquants de mon expérience sont le jour où j’ai pu aider une famille qui dormait dans la rue à avoir une place convenable pour dormir et le fait de donner du café aux personnes qui dorment dehors pendant l’hiver.

(Optionnel) : Quel mot ou quelle expression de votre langue aimeriez-vous que tout le monde connaisse ?

Ineza ntibora (la bonne action ne pourrie jamais).

Merci, Vincent, d’avoir pris le temps de partager votre parcours et vos expériences avec nous. Nous vous remercions sincèrement pour votre engagement, votre dévouement et votre précieuse contribution à la communauté d’Umbrella Refugee Committee.

Q1:      Could you introduce yourself briefly

My name is Rasha Alsamman, and I am originally from Syria. I have a background in linguistics and literary studies, with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Damascus University and a Master’s degree from VUB in Brussels, which I completed in 2025.

I currently work as a Team Leader in the logistics and supply chain industry. Before that, I worked as a freelance translator.

Arabic is my mother tongue, and I also speak English and French, with some knowledge of Dutch.

In my free time, I enjoy working out, playing chess, and watching movies.

Q2:      How/when did you come to URC?

I first got in touch in June 2026 to explore the possibility of volunteering and supporting refugees. I believe that helping others in this way would not only allow me to make a positive contribution but also give me valuable personal and professional experience. I contacted URC via their website and received a response.

Q3:      What has been your role/project in URC?

I have not officially started yet, but my current role is ‘journalism’ / human-stories writing

Q4: Has there been any fond memory for you at URC?

One of the strongest memories I have is attending two meetings where we discussed the difficulties faced by asylum seekers who struggle to meet their basic needs. During these meetings, all the team members worked together to explore possible ways to support the family. It was an unforgettable and deeply moving experience that touched everyone’s hearts.

(Optional): What is a word or phrase from your language that you wish everyone knew?

ارحموا مَن في الأرض، يرحمْكم مَن في السماء

“Show mercy to those on earth, and the One in Heaven will show mercy to you.”

Thank you, Rasha, for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. We are grateful for your time and for being part of the Umbrella Refugee Committee journey.

Q1:      Could you introduce yourself briefly ?

I’m Shiema Romoli, an Afghan-American originally from California, now living in Brussels. I’ve spent nearly two decades studying and working in international development and humanitarian affairs, which has taken me to some fascinating places and introduced me to some extraordinary people.

These days, I’m channeling much of that experience into writing, including my debut novel, Head South, while continuing to volunteer for causes close to my heart. I suppose humanitarian work is one of those things that becomes part of who you are, rather than simply what you do.

Q2:      How/when did you come to URC ?

I joined URC in January 2026 because I wanted to remain actively involved in supporting displaced communities. Much of my recent professional work focused on refugees and asylum seekers who had survived torture, persecution, conflict, and other forms of violence.

As the political rhetoric surrounding migration has grown hostile, particularly in countries that have historically championed human rights, I’ve found myself both frustrated and concerned. As the daughter of Afghan immigrants, I also understand that migration is about far more than crossing borders. It’s about rebuilding lives, finding belonging, and being given a fair chance.

I wanted to contribute, even in a small way, to making people feel welcomed, valued, and supported in the places they now call home. URC offered me an opportunity to do exactly that.

Q3:      What has been your role/project in URC ?

I’m something of a jack-of-all-trades, which comes with spending years in international development and humanitarian work, often alongside civil society organizations in developing countries. My background spans programme and project management, fundraising, administration, communications, partnerships, and event planning.

At URC, I’ve tried to put those skills to good use wherever they’re needed, whether that’s supporting organizational activities, helping coordinate events, or contributing to fundraising and planning efforts.

I’m not particularly attached to job titles. If something needs doing and I can help, I’m happy to roll up my sleeves.

Q4: Has there been any fond memory for you at URC ?

Organizing the World Refugee Day celebration in 2026 was certainly a highlight. It gave me the opportunity to connect with members of the different refugee committees, fellow volunteers, and local partners.

What made the day memorable was seeing communities share the richness of their cultures through music, food, art, and traditions. Too often, refugees are defined by what they’ve fled rather than everything they bring with them.

It was a wonderful reminder that people are so much more than their circumstances, and that cultural diversity is something worth celebrating.

(Optional): What is a word or phrase from your language that you wish everyone knew ?

“E pluribus unum,” which means “Out of many, one.”

It’s the traditional motto of the United States, and although it’s Latin rather than English, I think it captures something beautiful about the American ideal: people from different backgrounds, cultures, and histories coming together to form something greater.

As an Afghan-American and the daughter of immigrants, that idea has always resonated with me. It’s also something I wish we’d remember more often, especially at a time when differences are increasingly used to divide us.

Thank you, Shiema, for sharing your experiences and reflections with us. We truly appreciate your dedication, generosity and continued commitment to supporting displaced communities and celebrating the richness of diversity.