Before I start this new blog, I would like to thank everyone extremely for all the kind reactions and donations I received. The goal to stay here for a few more weeks has been achieved! I really appreciate everyone's involvement and I believe that we can only make a difference together.
Sport has the power to change the world' Nelson Mandela said 20 years ago. What does sport still mean to you, when you camp with 250 other single men in a tent, a place where you've long forgotten the word privacy, a place where, in front of the eye of the whole camp, you do your best to refresh yourself, using one of the few faucets, a place you never thought of when you thought of a better future, a place where you'd rather stay asleep hoping to open your eyes to the light, a place where you live, but above all survive.
Ali, 19 years old from Afghanistan. Soccer has always been his life. He practiced hard and a lot in Iran. He had friends all from his futsal soccer team until he had to flee. He never saw his friends again and so the ball.
Volleyball has always been popular in the camp. A group of men always used the available net. Together they had fun and no time to think. Sport is a means, a way out.
I have always seen sport as a means and a way out, but I was never more aware of the power of sport than since I've been here. Sport has always been my most favorite hobby, providing fun, relaxation, goals, lessons for life and friendships all over the world. It has brought me a lot, but it was always there. I took sport for granted, but I know better now. Sports and hundreds of other 'basic needs' are privileges.
When I was asked to become the sports coordinator of Eurorelief, I did not hesitate. After providing emergency assistance after the fire, 'housing' (moving people to other tents), doing census (checking who, where and how lives), answering questions at our info point, doing maintenance (repairing tents and assembling things. Now I know what's not my talent... haha), this was the perfect opportunity to finally offer the people here a bit of relaxation. I always wanted to organize something for the (young) ladies and the (single) men. For children something is being organized, but for women and men almost nothing yet.
For the women we organize volleyball training and for the men we make a playground where they can play volleyball and soccer. Thank you very much Let's Keep the Ball Flying (https://www.letskeeptheballflying.com/) en CRR (https://www.christianrefugeerelief.com/) for the sports equipment and balls!
It is special to see how the women young and old (oldest participant is 70!) are playing sports in beautiful colorful dresses. It is nice to see how young, old and different nationalities work together and are having fun.
Last week a mother participated. Young woman 24 years and mother of 3 children. She loved volleyball very much, already played volleyball in Iran and missed it. This was her chance to hit a ball again. After the training she kept talking with one of our volunteers. The next time she would definitely come again, but the children had to come along. She and her children experience violence and more misery. We will help her. For the farewell she wants to say one more thing: 'thank you. Today was a good day. I finally did again what I love'.
Especially, single men are having a hard time. If a list is made for anything, the men are at the bottom. Clothing distribution? No. Own tent? No. Any activities? No. Food? Later. Women, children and families come first. It is assumed that men are good and strong. They are less vulnerable. But is that really true?
The sports activities on the hill give me the opportunity to talk to these men. Away from the rubhall where they live on bunk beds in animal conditions. Down there are problems, but on the mountain there is more peace and relaxation.
Most men are young men around 20 years old. They talk about their miserable flight, reasons for their flight, but most of all they talk about family. Family members they miss very much, because they have either been murdered and/or still live in the country of origin. They miss their younger brother growing up, because he was 1 year old when he left. In the meantime he is already walking and talking. They were the big brother who took care of the younger brothers and sisters. They took them wherever they went and took care of them. Now they have been sent to continue their work, but in Europe. They have to offer the family new chances for a better and safer life.
As the eldest child of my parents, it touches me. I can't imagine how much pressure these young men feel and how much they miss their family. At the same time I am impressed by their resilience. They all hold on to hope. When I ask how a young man (21) deals with the pain and mental wounds he talks about, he says the following:
You have to see life as a rope. You hold the rope, or life. You know that you cannot hold that rope forever and you are going to lose it. Then something starts pulling hard on the other side of the rope. You can do two things.
Option 1: You give in to the pain and you lose the rope.
Option 2: You keep pulling the rope hard. Your hands burn, but you hold the rope and do not let go.
You are starting to get used to the feeling.
Meanwhile, a world goal is being made that is celebrated by everything and everyone on the hill. Heavily impressed by the goal of this mega muscular Congolese young man, all Afghans jump into his arms, while a group of Arabs call Zidane, Zidane...
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