This post is part of our reversed advent calendar action to surprise undocumented Amsterdammers with a Christmas dinner box. Besides revealing the daily item to put into the calendar box, we also share some interesting stories and inspirational content to make the countdown to Christmas extra meaningful to all of us.
A December to remember – for all of us! 
Yay, it’s finally time to open the first Reversed Advent Calendar door this year. Ready, set, go – let the carton box hunting begin 🙂
We really appreciate all people who donate their time and money to make a fellow vulnerable Amsterdammer smile on Christmas eve. Every day, we will reveal the daily item to put into the advent calendar box as well as some insider knowledge and inspirational content with you to make the countdown to Christmas extra meaningful to all of us.
First things first: who are those undocumented Amsterdammers actually?
There are over 20.000 undocumented Amsterdammers living in our city varying from young people, over families with children to couples and elderly. All of them had to leave their home country due to different reasons now trying to get a visa while living in poverty and isolation.
A few examples:
> victims of human trafficking, who do not dare to report it;
> (wo)men were sent away by their Dutch partner before they were entitled to receive their own independent residence permit;
> people whose residence permit has expired and now they are stateless as they cannot return to their country of origin (e.g. because of the political situation);
> people who need specific medical care which they cannot get access to in their home country.
This group is particularly vulnerable, as they barely have access to governmental help due to their complicated status. This means they are fully dependent on donations from a few non-governmental social organizations. And they are happy to receive support from someone like you 🙂
Curious to see which calendar item comes next? 
Shhhht … view the entire advent calendar sheet with all items over here.
And if you know someone who would like to join the reversed advent calendar, people are still welcome to sign-up here until December 21st. The more packages we can donate together, the merrier 
We wish you a great first December!
