10 September 2015

Last night we got an email from friends of friends asking for any extra bedding as more than the expected number of refugees had arrived at the former school which is one of the first call places here where incoming refugees are  given shelter. So we drove out into the night with a car load of blankets and duvets and a big box of cookies and whatever we could find in the spur of the moment. The security guard helped us to unload and eventually, a few young men in shorts and T-shirts approached us with shy smiles. R started talking to them, where are you from, what would you like to do next and so on.  I was at a loss for words, all I could say was, welcome and I hope it will all work out for you.  And then we all cried a bit, the security guard incl. while more people arrived, my fellow city people, young and old, carrying more bedding and blankets and we quickly drove off. Today, people have been asked to not bring any more as there is too much already, food, bedding, toys, bicycles, medicines etc. and volunteers are now put on waiting lists. Still, it felt like nothing, a car load of bedding, and it is nothing and yes, I realise that my government has ulterior motives. Germany has the world's lowest birthrate and the industrial sector has been crying out for skilled and unskilled workers. Add to this the number of children who will be educated and trained here and do your maths. But at the same time, we - and I say this with a swelling heart and a lot of emotion - we Europeans are discovering humanity. To some extent, enough to make me weep every time I watch this video. If it will not open below, click on this link.

4 comments:

am said...

Tear of joy, tears of relief. Human kindness prevailing. Thank you, Sabine. This morning we are watching the moon and Venus in the eastern sky before dawn. The sky is unusually clear here.

37paddington said...

This makes me cry but not with sadness, or there is some sadness that people were forced to leave their homes and find refuge in another land, but I am so moved by the kindness of those who have welcomed them, and overwhelmed by the idea of families setting up their whole lives anew, with nothing to start out with but donations of blankets and food from their new neighbors. This makes me cry with the great humanity of it. Exactly as you say.

Anonymous said...

Love reading this, Sabine. Thank you.

beth coyote said...

Thank you, Sabine.

XXX Beth