The people, who risked their life and who have lost everything, are on the run for weeks and fling their arms gratefully around your neck, only because we are waiting with tea and dry socks… from these people you only can learn

Monika Lutz :: Switzerland :: Age 70

My name is Monika Lutz from Switzerland. I am 70 years old and I came on my own.

I went to Lesvos on February 15 2016  for 5 weeks to help the many refugees arriving by  boat. I saw on TV an interview with Michael Räber (Swiss Cross). He and his helpers impressed me, and I immediately decided to fly to Lesvos to help.      I got only good reactions, especially from my family. They were a little worried.

What did you know about Lesvos?

That you see Turkey from the island which is divided by the sea. It could be so nice but if you know that last year over 4000 people have drown and whole of Europe is watching…

I came here because I was very angry!!  We have such a wonderful life in Switzerland and we are always moaning.

The people, who risked their life and who have lost everything, are on the run for weeks and fling their arms gratefully around your neck, only because we are waiting with tea and dry socks… from these people you only can learn. I am ashamed of our government which does not help!!!   There was so much to do. We were the first people they encountered in Europe. They put all hope to us, the Europeans. So we welcomed them with a smile and closed them in our arms.  How ridiculous are all our small problems…

A defining moment:

My first boat. A beautiful old Syrian woman who embraced me several minutes and thanked me and we cried together.

What are you taking with you back home:

That i have and will help more, all over, supporting  the refugees, trying to convince people in my country and raise more money for Idomeni refugee camp. .

I’m so glad I was on Lesbos and having experienced myself what is going on. It strongly affected me. On the TV it remains abstract. The Greeks are really fantastic. All what they are doing, and not for only 4-5 weeks as we volunteers, having not much themselves. They are already helping for a long time and it still will take a long time.

Lesvos is a beautiful island – pure nature. Make a holiday there! The Greeks desperately need tourists. The beaches are cleaned by the volunteers.