Last days in Belgrade
16 April 2017
The situation is still very devastating here. I've just been told that police have been clearing the barracks. I haven't managed to talk to anyone with any clear idea on what will happen to the refugees living there. One volunteer mentioned moving them to a camp up on the Serbian/Hungarian border, without the possibility of free movement throughout the country (what are they going to do?? Barbed wire fence them in?! - Probably what they'll do..)
I spoke to three boys yesterday - 18, 19 and 20yrs old - all three from Afghanistan, ALL THREE WALKED HERE. And then there's me. Sometimes I can't be bothered going to work. Sometimes I'm too tired to do this thing or that thing, or cook or clean, OR BRUSH MY TEETH. I take so much for granted. Every little thing is put into perspective for me here. Who am I to complain?? My life is a breeze!
And so, I am here. I am here for those with nothing. The cheeky boys who want to joke around, I'm here to laugh with you. The humble men who avert their eyes when I hand them food, I'm here just to smile and bring you a little comfort. These people are strangers to me, and yet the connection runs so deep. Such a strange feeling to care so deeply about someone you won't ever know, but I see these boys and I see my brother - I see mums and I see my sister/my mum - I see kids/babies and I see my nieces. These people are my family, what kind of person would I be if I didn't help?
