‘Sometimes I think that this world has made only for players to play and I am and all the others that are like me is just in the stadium watching and we are here that the stadium should not be empty, but yah whatever this is life.’
Then I was back at Amsterdam Central Station after just over 3 months. Back in the other world.
The world in which I can freely go wherever I want. The world where I can come back to the Netherlands via 3 different countries without any effort and heavy control. The world in which I enter the front door of a house where at least 20 UN tents fit in. A house with a fridge that is overflowing with all kinds of nutrients. A house with running drinking water from all the different taps. The house that is always warm and can always be heated more. The house with washer and dryer, so clothes are always clean and dry at the same time. The house with a clean toilet. The house where there is always and always electricity. The house where family and friends will always be present. The house that I can always leave just to go outside. The world where I can worry about all my future plans, because there are thousands of opportunities and possibilities. The world that is so ordinary to me, but also so difficult for me right now.
The world where people are locked up for months and years in a guarded area. The world where people can no longer leave the country at any possibility, and if they do try to do so at the border, they will be completely mistreated and torn down. The world where the only part of privacy is an icy desert tent that will have to be shared with two more families. The fixed daily moments when you have to queue up again for hours to receive some food where fruit and vegetables are being cut back and therefore hardly ever present. The tent where you have to deal with a bottle of water a day. The tent where you always feel the wind and where you try to warm yourself but especially the children with fire and some blankets. The tent where you wash your clothes in the ocean or at one of the taps and where you hope that the clothes will dry quickly. The place where you try to find the least dirty dixie. The tent where there is almost never electricity, because the electricity cabinets give out all the time. The tent where you have all day to think about family and friends. The tent you hardly ever leave, because you are only allowed to leave the camp for four hours a week. The world where you are in the survival mode all day long, trying to keep hope, but most of all you are extremely despondent. The world in which you hope that one day will come when you will have the opportunity to live a safe, happy and full of freedom as the others.
‘Sometimes I think that this world has made only for players to play and I am and all the others that are like me is just in the stadium watching and we are here that the stadium should not be empty, but yah whatever this is life.’
Saying goodbye was very hard for me. The disappointment of the people with whom I had built such a strong relationships in such a short time and who had entrusted their stories to me, hurt (and still hurts...). Like those other volunteers, I was someone who came and left. It felt selfish. I come to help, provide some relief, but then leave again to fulfill my own pleasure, needs and plans for the future. While all the residents of the camp will be left behind for months and years to come. The idea that I am losing sight of most of the people now and have no idea if they will end up well makes it even more difficult. The hope that all the dear people will be able to find a good place will always be there.
At the same time I am glad that (together with Arie) I was able to give a group of people with my passion some distraction. In the past months we have set up volleyball groups for women, so now a number of groups of women can follow a volleyball training twice a week. Setting up the groups was not easy in the beginning. Finding the right locations, but especially finding interested ladies was difficult. Coming from a culture where women's rights are scarce and there is no equality between men and women, convincing them to come and play sports was a challenge. Giving up was never an option and so we walked to tents every day before the training to invite women personally. It was great to see how the same women came to sign up, participated in sports training for the first time, learned how to throw and play a ball and even became eager to get better and now play volleyball together on the street outside the training hours. In the end we even had to add groups because of all the extra registrations. For the single men we organized soccer and volleyball matches. For the men we did the same as for the women. We invited them all personally by going to the tents. In the beginning most of them indicated that they didn't have the energy to play. Still, it was great to see that the same men finally came and had so much fun. From that moment on, Arie and I were often addressed with a big smile and our own recognizable phrase: 'football? Volleyball?...' Besides all the volunteers who helped us, I would like to thank Arie (Arjanne) in particular for all the work and help. I am very grateful to you and I know you will give the sports activities a perfect follow-up!
All in all, I am grateful that I was able to help at Lesvos. It was incredibly hard, but at the same time I am so impressed by the perseverance, positivity and resilience of all people. Everyone tries in their own way to support each other and to be there for each other. I have seen neighbors become best friends and families welcome single people into their families. People are always stronger together. At the same time, this time has opened my eyes. The world is incredibly unfair and divided. We can be happy with the fact that we were born in this country and with all the opportunities and possibilities we have. It would be good if we would all be aware of that. Be there for someone else! I am not telling you that you also have to work in a refugee camp in Greece now, but small actions make the difference. Go and visit the older lady across the street, call that lost uncle, or help out at the food bank for an afternoon... there are countless possibilities.
This was my last blog for the time being. However, this was just the beginning. This work will never let me go. I'll write to you soon.
Some will open your heart, others will open your eyes.
Thank you!
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