On 13 February 2026, one week before the start of Ramadan, we held a Souq at Vrouw en Vaart in Amsterdam. It was not a fundraiser and not a formal event. It was a free shop.

Our team went out personally to pick up donations from everyone who reached out. There were very many, for all ages. We sorted them, and by the time the doors opened everything was ready.

Bags of donated clothes on the floor of a hall, with people setting up rails and tables behind them. — Bags of donations waiting to be sorted.

The tables held clothes, shoes, bags and children’s toys. Anyone who needed something could walk in, browse and take what they wanted.

No price tags. No conditions. Just dignity.

Shoes and boots for adults and children set out in pairs along a table. — Shoes set out in pairs.

Children’s clothes and a pink jacket in folded piles on a row of tables. — Children’s clothes on the tables.

Refugees and asylum seekers came from across the Netherlands. The day was quieter than our first Souq. Volunteers from the refugee camps gave their time to help run it, and people who came as guests stayed to serve.

There was food, cold drinks and easy conversation. People who had never crossed paths found themselves talking and laughing together. The weather cooperated too.

A mosaic table with plates of vegetables, cheese, crisps, breadsticks and biscuits. — Food set out on a table.

We chose the date on purpose. Ramadan is a time of reflection, generosity and community, and we wanted people to enter the month feeling seen, not overlooked.

Do you have clothes or toys to give? Get in touch through our contact page and our team will come and pick them up.