There was that refugee called Kerim who said about his 5 year old daughter Deriah: My daughter never had to steal/beg for anything or was forced to violence till she arrived Europe to survive.

Hüseyin Aydemir ::  Age 38 :: Switzerland

I heard from friends and through media that the situation for the refugees was horrible. I also heard that there would not be enough food/ clothes and medical support for the 12,000 refugees.

When did you Volunteer and for how long

In the last 7 months I was working as a volunteer for 3 monthes  . First in Hegyeshalom, Hungary for a week in Oct 2015,  Nov and Dec 2015 three times in Stuttgart 2 weeks. Beginning of Jan 2016  two weeks in Lesvos and beginning of March 2016 again in Lesvos for a week and the following 3 weeks in Idomeni till the Beginning of April 2016.

What reactions did you get from family and friends before coming

My turkish family was traditionally worried and all of my friends in Switzerland were randomly supporting me financially and morally.

An influential / defining moment you had on the Island or Idomeni

There were so many…. One of the most touching moments was the arriving of the first boat in Lesvos on Jan the first 2016 at 3 am.

What did you learn new about life and people

I did not learn anything new, but was assured about my belief of treating every person with dignity and that we are responsible for having so many people as refugees.

 Have you experienced moments of crisis or trauma

There was that moment where a man ran torwards me, burning because he had put himself on fire because he was so desperate about the refugee situation in Idumeni. It was the day when the terror attacks in Belgium took place.

Do you remember anyone in particular among refugees or volunteers 

I remember so many faces/people/conversations/stories…. There was that refugee called Kerim who said about his 5 year old daughter Deriah: My daughter never had to steal/beg for anything or was forced to violence till she arrived Europe to survive.

 What are you taking with you back home

It was the heaviest but best experience I ever made in my life and I will keep on going and organizing my life to continue what I started Oct 2015.