I have been living in Budapest for six months and I can confidently say that it feels a lot more like home — the weather is warming up and the city is bustling with tourists. I am now used to my lovely neighbourhood. The adults and the kids that I work with are more familiar with me and I am with them. I am also starting to understand the importance of organizations like Kalunba, and my service here.

The work that Kalunba does is extremely vital, given the current situation of refugees in Hungary. Many Hungarians are suspicious of migrants, especially since the Hungarian government regularly bombards its citizens with negative comments, portraying migrants and refugees as people who are linked to crime and terrorism. These comments provoke fear among the people, many of whom are convinced that their Christian country will turn increasingly Islamic with each incoming migrant. The prime minister, Viktor Orbán, strongly supports an anti-migration platform, and his Fidesz party won a third term in office in 2018. Since its re-election in April, Hungary’s parliament has passed a law making claims for asylum almost impossible and has also passed a series of laws that criminalize any individual or group that offers to help an illegal immigrant claim asylum. The legislation restricts the ability of Non-Government Organizations to act in asylum cases and was passed in defiance of the European Union and human rights groups.

Everyone that works at Kalunba is passionate about their work and understands the importance of the roles they play, big or small. There are times when it is very stressful because, like many other organizations, Kalunba tries to do their best for their clients. Unfortunately, with the political situation towards refugees being so precarious, so are the resources. But these stressful situations always remind me why my service here is necessary and why God has put this opportunity in my path.