Simone Ruizendaal

What did you know about the place before arriving?

I knew about Lesbos that it was a holiday island. And that refugees uses it to flee.

When did you arrive to Lesbos ? 

I arrived at the 7th of March 2016 שמג I stayed for 9 days

Did you come alone our with friends ?

I came on my own (I worked for BRF)

What reactions did you get from family and friends before coming ? 

It was very different. My family was proud. But some of my friends evaded the subject our didn’t feel like talking about it public.

An influential/defining moment you had on the island ? 

I think the moment de boats came a shore and helping the people inside the boats was a influential moment. At that moment you can make a difference by keeping calm and help the kids and give the mothers a hug and make clear they are welcome.

What did you learn about life and people?

I learned that we are very lucky that we’ve been born in the Netherlands. And that there even not that far away people are that are very bad and creul. That makes me sad.

Have you experienced moments of crisis op trauma ? 

We where at the beach waiting for a boat to come a shore. Some of us had a chat with a man who’s wife and 3 kids were on board of that boat. Somebody else on board of that boat had made a film with his telephone of the Turkey’s coastgaurd hitting the boat with long sticks. Why? Where they trying to make it sink, that’s what it looks like. I don’t understand it! And I notet that I must not try understand it to because it drives you crazy.

Do you remember anyone in particular among the refugees or volunteers ? 

I remember one little boy (maybe 5 years old) who I played with. He had made me a drawing of a house and a airplane that was dropping bombs. It broke my heart, my kids never draw thinks like that.

What are you taking with you back home? 

That we are very lucky to live in the Netherlands and that there still are many people with there heart on the right place.