Meeting again in Berlin

Since there was going to be a presentation of the book Theresa helped write, with others of the NGO Balkanbrucke, another Meet Up happened almost spontaneously in Berlin! Michael and I met in Munich and picked up Rebin, whom we had met several times in Bosnia but didn’t see since 2 years, and Junus, similar story. How great to meet again in a new context! Not without its challenges but definitely more uphill and with the feeling of going somewhere.

Here’s the power bank Rebin used on his last game, and now he gave it to me to pass on to some other gamer in need👏

In Berlin, we were given a very warm welcome by the Adday’s family, in a Syrian restaurant. Actually, a very delicious and abundant welcome!

These Meet ups are time for relaxing, reconnecting, eating together, sharing stories, an event to present the Walk and talk about future plans. And play songs together! Thank you Israel for joining us with your beautiful music.

Here at Amloud’s home we had the pleasure to meet again Ashab, whom we had met in Velika Kladusa exacty 2 years ago, when he was still a minor staying in Miral camp.

What a nice young man he has become! Here’s something he wrote:

| 18.2.2022 Friday Bosnia
| 18.2.2024 Sunday Germany
(This text is dedicated to the people who gave me a new perspective, a new hope, courage to fight depression in difficult times and have been in touch with me for the past two years. Much love and heartfelt thanks.)

18 February 2022 is Friday
A young boy is lost in thought in the Miral refugee camp in Velika Kladuša, a small village in Bosnia.
What will happen to us in the future?
Oh God, when will we reach Italy?
If we remain here in Bosnia in such conditions, we will not be able to do anything in the future.
Such strange and strange questions were coming in his mind when suddenly a boy named Salman comes and tells him that today some people from Italy have come to meet me, I have to go to the city to meet them. You wanna join us?
Ashab: Who are those people? Why would they come here from Italy to meet you?
Salman: Man, they help the refugees, I have talked to them a little while ago on Messenger, they will reach the city at 1 or 2 o’clock in the afternoon.
Please come with me they are very nice people.

When we arrive in the center of Velika Kladuša, there are about 6 or 7 people who greet us enthusiastically. As the time for Friday prayer approaches, these nice peoples people know that these two Pakistani boys, Salman and Ashab, are Muslims, so they send us to pray in the mosque.
After that we go to a coffee shop.

[the picture below, our first meeting with Ashab and Salman in the bar]

Then we go to a small restaurant for lunch and spend about 2-3 hours there. Talking to this group from Italy, there was a distinct feeling of positive energy coming from them. There was a glimmer of hope that our life is still not that bad, it’s a different thing that Ashab you only have one pant, t-shirt and jacket and old shoes and your feet hurt because of these shoes. You have tried to enter Italy from Bosnia about 6 times but unfortunately every time you are beaten by the police and deported back. Among them, when a young man Rikko was talking to me, I felt like direct knowledge was being transferred to me.
At 16:30 me and Salman came back to Miral cam.
But….
Literally this 2- 3 hour meeting made me think.
They have come from Italy to visit us in Bosnia as a group, spending time and money, and they are also paying for our food here. But still all these people are happy.
Who does that in today’s age of materialism?
Who are these people?
What is the purpose of their life?
How are they so happy?
After much thought, I did some searching on Google and found that such people are called human rights activists and social workers.
Love for humanity and race without discrimination. Religion, trying to help everyone is the secret of their happiness.
At that time I also thought that one day I will become a human, rights + social + political activist, social worker, fight for people’s rights and help them. Just as these people met me and gave us a new hope, I will do the same.
And my journey begins in Braunschweig, Germany, where I would begin my political and activist life.
From Braunschweig’s schools, streets, local politics, Braunschweig Rathaus, state parliament, to the German parliament (Bundestag), I speak out for youth and human rights.
And there comes a time when I become vice president of several organizations like Migrantifa Braunschweig. I work as a volunteer with many refugee aid organizations. The boy, who was not known before, now his name appears in the newspapers.
Who had nothing, and today he has everything. He is fond of books; today he has more than 200 books, computer, iPad, many clothes, many shoes, bicycle, and many God given blessings.
I don’t know how the love, respect, development of so many people liked me happened in such a short time because I still don’t know German well.😂

All this is to tell you people that your small actions work. Trying to help can change lives with one’s thoughts. I don’t know how many people’s lives will be changed because of this one group Walk of Shame. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. If today I am living happily in Germany or have achieved so much, then surely you guys have played a big role in it.😇

Two years ago, in Bosnia. The meeting Ashab talks about:

Walk#14, the last trip of the year

Last November another trip to Bosnia took place, and besides Luca and I we had with us a newcomer, Fiamma, who brought much new inspiration and love. Here’s the team.

Much of our focus was in Bihac, particularly serving hot tea around the bus station and wherever we met people, since it started getting cold.

We spent time with people, mostly Curds from Turkey but also North Africans, listening to their stories and trying to help in whichever way we could, from searching for medicines, mobile phones, warm clothes, etc. Once more, Luca entertained the children with his Big Bubbles Show.

Then we were able to bring some more colour to Camp Borici, in cooperation with Silvia Maraone and other volunteers from IPSIA. This time we painted on the floor, and before leaving Luca did his magic show again for children and parents. Last time we were in this camp was in 2020, Michael was still with us and it was actually his last trip.

We ended this trip visiting once more Andelka and family in their small village near Velika Kladusa and enjoying their amazing hospitality, so typical of this area.

After the Meet up in Trento, Walk #13

We closed the Meet up in Trento with a quick but nice lunch and started travelling towards Trieste. The idea was to spend the evening in the square in front of the train station, where many migrants gather and receive help and some medical and loving care by Lorena, Gian Andrea and the volunteers of the association Linea d’ombra. The place was packed. As for material help, we brought sleeping bags, shoes and warm jackets. As usual though, our aim was to make some personal connections, which did happen, as we are still in touch with some of the people we met that night.

Laura distributed the letters her students wrote and received some in return.

Esther and Ruzanna played cards, some of us sang and we talked till late with several people.

The following morning we went to visit the people in the silos, one of the most horrible places I’ve seen. People stay in tents and when it rains there’s mud everywhere, rats are rampant and it just seems impossible that people can live in those conditions. We sang again as music does have the power to lift up spirits, and shared some food.

In the evening we arrived in Rijeka, at our place, which by comparison was a little bit of heaven. The following day we visited the Migrants spot near the train station, delivered a big box of gauzes and disinfectants a friend donated in Trento, and listened to the story of how Tinka, Damir, Sara and other volunteers started the place over a year ago.

After dinned, we listened to the amazing story of the Aladday family, and their ten years of travelling from Syria, thru Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Bosnia and finally now in Germany. A father and his three children, thru perils, disappointments and delays.

A very nice article was published in a magazine in Bosnia about their story of love and heroism.

The following day we travelled to Spielfeld, in Austria, on the border with Slovenija. We walked thru this empty huge camp, imagining when it was packed with people, we were told a few thousands.

As it happened in a few places in Bosnia, the Balkan route moved, and left behind empty camps and squats. But the situation is always fluid, wars don’t seem to stop, and people are always looking for a better future.

So, our Border Walks continue.

WoS Meet Up in Trento, northern Italy -27-29 October 2023

An amazing Meet Up took place on 27-29 October in Trento, northern Italy. The association Oratorio S.Antonio very generously allowed us the use of hall, kitchen and various spaces. Several families and friends displayed such a high level of hospitality so that this special weekend will never be forgotten.

Here’s the program:

During this time we talked, we sang, we met in workshops, we visited the city, we enjoyed the art exhibition, we ate wonderful food, we did some planning for the future.

But I will let Maddalena describe the Saturday meeting, attended by many more people than we expected.

Walk of Shame. Two days in Trento to participate in the soul of the network and the steps that move the people gathered here from different parts of Europe and the world. They travel along the borders of the Balkan route to support and encourage. “Many are busy bringing emergency care, medicines, shoes…Others carry out political actions. And all this is important.” Explains my sister Anna. “We thought we’d ‘engage’ ourselves. We go empty-handed to share our time.” Rikko says. “12 journeys completed.”

Silvia, who has been helping in refugee camps in Bosnia for years, joins in. Her voice betrays the harshness of a reality that demands attention and understanding. Let’s not forget her.

Then there is Luca, a street entertainer. He brings our gaze to the overwhelming joy of the little ones. And Rodari comes to mind with that quote “Do you know how much the tears of a hungry child weigh?” Here their hunger for lightness thunders brightly.

Laura, a teacher in Amsterdam, instead gives voice to her students. She reads a letter written by one of them to be given to whoever tries to reach the goal, as is done with a game. Either life or death. This way of getting close in order to instill courage is unique.

Six hundred. This number indicates who has passed through the center that hosts us and learned Italian there. Thanks Lilli.

It’s Adil’s turn. He intertwined his path with the walkers mentioned above. His story is a disruptive wind of hope. A moving story of redemption. Adil has now a stable job, a house, a bike and a train he takes regularly every day. When we talk to each other he tells me: “I recently bought some medicine for (…). He’s not better off than me, you know. Many Italians are doing really badly.” Words that, said by someone who has seen hell and his hair turned grey, have the scent of spring. This morning he surprises us by offering us breakfast in a bar in the city: there are 35 of us! Cool! It is his way of expressing gratitude, what he is and feels like: a brother, one of us.

Music and the hospitality of those who give us the warmth of a bed and food continually put us in deep connection. And there is no better language to unite people across borders. “Let’s give peace a chance”. Words that here take shape. Thank you!

Thank you Associazione Oratorio S.Antonio!

From Rusanna:

It was my first experience and I didn’t know what to expect. I was blown away by love, care, trust, humanity and ability to connect so easily and softly to any soul by every member of the WoS. Meeting people on the move in Trieste with a heart of celebration and new hope in humanity, gave me so much energy not to give up on small “drops in the ocean”. After that experience I gained back hope for goodness . Even if it’s in small quantities and not very frequent.

Thank you WoS team for the acceptance, love and energy you contaminated me and others with❤️

From Herman:

Last night we came home after a very special weekend. How shall I describe? I use the words of a Pakistani on the bench on Sunday evening, in Trieste. I sat down next to him. He asked me who all those people (you) were. I told him we came from all over Europe. He said, “I’ve been watching you all night. All these people spread love.” This Pakistani’s experience is also my experience for the whole weekend. We shared love with each other and with those who need it. That was amazing. Therefore I want to say to all of you: Thank you!

The updated version of the video we showed in Trento, two powerful minutes of lots of loving action❤️ The history of the project, the first 13 Walks, almost 4 years of this unique approach, attempting to do our part to rehumanise relationships in Europe.

Walking in Serbia again. -WoS no.12

We were in Serbia at the end of January, and we decided to go there again, also to check on some of the people we met, and the general situation. This time our team was different, and we were not always together. But we managed to meet people of all kinds, make new connections and bring back home so much.

Here’s our team, obviously overlapping, from Germany, France, the Netherlands and Italy. Christian and Elsa are part of Europe Must Act, a pan-European movement of activists demanding a new and humane migration policy. They got to also meet many other local volunteers and activists.

As usual, we also try to meet local volunteers and NGO’s, to get a better picture of how things are going and to honor their efforts.

This time we got to know for the first time The Workshop Belgrade, an NGO that majors on providing education, learning languages and even organising sport events, within the camps and also at their center, which we visited and where got to know Nick and Rhys.

In Subotica we met again Nikola, from HCIT, and he gave us a thorough update.

We visited again the squats we first were in last January, and we found the general atmosphere fearful and tense, not to speak of the fact that a lot of people prefer to live in the woods, or ‘jungle’, maybe due to recent episodes of violence.

Our guitar and Luca’s didgeridoo open the way, as well as a tea for everyone prepared on a small burner Michael brought along. We had run out of tea bags, so the tea was more like…water, but it was so appreciated! I realised what a special moment is tea drinking for them, and some music.

Shirzad

Last January we met a very special man from Afganistan, and several of us kept in touch with him. His English was very good, and his messages clear and deep. Below, what he wrote right after he met us.

Around April, no more news from him.

Then Susan, who met him with us on the previous Walk of Shame, wrote us:

“Dear everyone, I have some sad news. A Dutch girl, from No name kitchen just texted me to let me know that Sherzad has passed away. In April he was arrested, he died in prison. They don’t know if he was ill or of he was killed. He had mentioned my name to her, which is why she got in touch.

He was from Afghanistan, served in the army, and had to leave the country one and a half year ago when his youngest daughter was only 5 days old. He was a lawyer, father of 3 kids, and former commander in the Afghan army.”

We went back to the camp where we met Shirzad last January and spent some time with two of his friends, still very sad and heartbroken. We shared some food they made and they showed us pics of him, apparently he died of heart complications in some detention center. On their phone they also had recordings of us singing Bella Ciao, so we sang it again. This time it was a very sad rendition. We dedicated it to Shirzad, who indeed died for liberty.

Thanks also to our drivers, we really went out of our way and got to meet people in the most amazing places. They have to walk so many kilometers just to buy a few groceries!

Somewhere, very much out of the way, we met two young Syrians from Aleppo. 6 years ago I took part in a long Civil March for Aleppo, so I showed them some pics from it and they were quite touched. We promised to stay in touch, and we are. They walked away in the sunset, with some water, groceries and a dog they had adopted.

A few times we happened to be quite close to the famous wall, 320 meters long, between Serbia and Hungary. A place of desperation and pain, sometimes a gateway to freedom and a better life.

Michael continued on and visited the camp in Kikinda. Sjouke travelled back to the Netherlands. Luca had already travelled back to Italy. Christian, Elsa, Rikko and I continued on to Budapest, where we took part in a very envisioning A World of Neighbours annual meeting.

On the other side of Hungary we were welcomed by beautiful red poppies fields. Another world.

Yet, the search is on, for a better future. The walk is on, as long as there is more humanising to do.

Visiting Serbia once more

Fresh from a very inspiring Meet Up in Berlin, some of us headed for Serbia, joined by other friends, a total of seven people, from the following nationalities: Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Syria.

The first time we took a trip in Serbia was in June 2021. At that time it was warm, plus we knew a few people staying in the refugee camps of Subotica and Kikinda, so we went straight to visit them and thru them we got to know more people.

This time it was quite cold. And we didn’t know anybody there.

In common: as a team, most of us didn’t know each other, but by the end of the trip we got real close. There’s something about going on a mission of love together that accelerates the process of getting to know each other and feeling close.

Here’s our team, outside the refugee camp of Kikinda, very close to the border with Romania, together with two friends staying in the camp.

Personally, this was one of the highlights of this trip. We went to the camp two days in a row, lacking an official permission we couldn’t go inside but we decided to start singing just outside the camp and slowly but surely people started coming out to meet us, braving the cold and the wind, to join us in the singing. Even some of the workers joined us and took pictures and for two days in a row this place was filled with joyful singing, hugs and meaningful conversations. We are still in touch with some of the people we met here, this place so far away and deserted, almost at the end of the world.

Letters from Europe

We brought with us a considerable amount of letters written by European teenagers and directed to people on the move. Laura, a Dutch teacher, was instrumental in this project. We read some of them one evening and were moved to tears. Here’s one:

Zouhir and his friend Ahmad, the cooks in Kikinda camp, with every lunch they hand out, they also gave a letter.

Visiting squats

Near Subotica and quite close to the border with Hungary, we visited a few squats, broken down houses where people on the move stay, pass thru, get ready for the next attempt to cross, recuperate their strength after being pushed back. The places are like any other squats we visited in Bosnia, depressing, filthy, freezing cold. Volunteers and NGOs come regularly to provide food, wood, showers, and that means a lot. We just had some warm clothes, and later on some food and wood. We mainly had ourselves, our love and our music. Barriers melt down almost immediately when we start singing Bella Ciao. Somehow everyone knows that song, and that’s the power of music, to break down walls, renew faith and communicate love.

Meeting local activists and volunteers

We talked to some great people working with migrants in Serbia. We got to visit a youth shelter of the Jesuit refugee service. This is Jelena, a relentless energetic social worker with a booming voice who runs this shelter where at the moment 7 unaccompanied boys live, the age of 7 to 17. Imagine being on your own in a strange country at that age. One of the boys was very eager and taught himself English. When we talked with the boys he translated for them. He is 10 years old.

With Vuk from Klikaktiv

with Nikola, from Humanitarian center for Integration and Tolerance (HCIT), who very kindly gave us a thorough update and took around personally.

We had lunch and a nice talk with Kia, an activist in Belgrade volunteering with Transbalkan Solidarnost and part of the precious and brave network that cares for people on the move.

Ten Days in Bosnia Meeting the Neighbours

We took many trips to Bosnia, more than I can remember, but this one was slightly different. The emphasis was in meeting local volunteers and activists, or even simple people, who in various ways showed love and compassion to people on the move, refugees or migrants. They became neighbours to them.

Part of the team is ready to go! Luca is also carrying a bunch of stuff for the various shows and animations he will be doing in the next few days, at the cultural center Ideja, in some orphanages, in camp Lipa etc.

Being back in Velika Kladusa brings up so many emotions! Here we met so many people who are now scattered in various parts of Europe, and with them we were able to build some beautiful memories, in spite of the hard conditions they faced. We met so many young people in this dark abandoned factory, where now around 6 people are finding refuge, and where somebody painted these murals.

From Rebin: “Hello how are you? I remember that house, I hope no one lives there because life is hard there. Thank God I now live in the best place and I am now going to school to learn languages. I always pray for you because you helped me a lot. I hope you are always happy and healthy.”

Both Rebin and Carim are now in Germany. They had spent many months in “that house” with other people, whom we are also still in touch with. Some good memories were created in some very horrible places.

It takes courage to be a refugee, wrote Carim on the wall of this squat house, where we also met many friends

We paid a visit to a few local families who live in a village very close to the border, where many refugees passed by. We visited them last February and didn’t realise how much that one visit meant to them. They saw us coming and shouted our names, unbelievable! We received such a great hospitality, which they also have been extending to the many people passing thru. A lady said: “Sure, they have a different color of skin, but they wear the biggest smiles, in spite of their difficulties”.

Later on we passed by to say hello to the friendly dentist who did a big job for free to Ali, who at the time was staying in Miral camp, now closed. The first thing he asked was how was Ali doing, and if the new teeth were working!

Next stop was Bihac, where we met with several volunteers. Some came with us to entertain the children in the Rom section of town. It’s Lucas’s profession and his first show in Bosnia! I think in the end he was exhausted, ha! But everyone had a great time and will never forget his huge bubbles and colourful parachute.

Yesterday it was a long day meeting people, local volunteers and traveling to Kulen Vakuf, a town nearby where Luca greatly entertained the small children of the orphanage Duga for a few hours. They didn’t want to let him go! We also got to visit Atlantis, an highly artistic project that started in 2016 and that transformed an old bombed factory in an amazing place full of murals and other artistic contributions. Finally, we visited Martinbrod and its magic falls.

We finally got to visit camp Lipa, that hosts around 500 people. There seems to be a new influx of people from Africa, mainly from Burundi. We got to meet the volunteers from IPSIA and played songs, danced and got to know a few people.

Michela and I met in Fano, a town in Central Italy, a month ago, by pure accident, as she was running a Caritas stand to raise funds for Bosnia and I stopped by. And…. We met again today in camp Lipa, what a small world!

With Silvia, overseer of IPSIA and the activities in the camp

Luca knows how to dance and it was a great time all together breaking barriers and having fun

Also music is a magic that draws instantly together perfect strangers

U Pokretu is a local NGO that started fairly recently in Bihac. Their center, called Ideja, is buzzing with activities and volunteers from various parts of Europe, and local ones, involved in caring for people on the move and trying to build bridges with the local population but especially with the youth. Luca did a very colourful animation, that moved all the way down to the Una River! The colors were out of this world!

Today we went to check out the squats in the “jungle” area outside Bihac but couldn’t find anyone. But a few minutes later we met 2 Afghani boys only 16 yrs old, who looked quite bedraggled. Luca gave them all he had in the car: shoes, sweaters and especially 2 back packs they were so glad for, as they are attempting the game tomorrow. They broke my heart, such young kids having to attempt such a feat!

Here they are, happily walking away

At this point Luca had to return to Italy and Rikko (from Walk of Shame) came, all the way from Amsterdam. For a bit of a different project. He is doing recordings for a podcast series called Living as Neighbours, conversations with locals who became neighbours for people on the move. These people are so important for the future of Europe, living and loving examples how and who we could be.

In Sarajevo, recording Sanella, who started a very promising project called Intergreat.

with Ali, a refugee from Syria we met in the streets of Sarajevo and shared a meal with

In Tuzla we met again our friend Senad, a reporter and activist, fully immersed for the past 5 years in this humanitarian crisis, spending night after night around the bus station, helping people on move. Rikko was able to interview him for a podcast in the storage he runs. I was so moved by this conversation as, like the previous day with Sanella, we are talking about people who have been also refugees and experienced the trauma of war. They know what it’s like and are wholeheartedly there to help, often risking personal safety. I am really looking forward to listening to these podcasts!

Back to Bihac! Met with Marin and other volunteers at the cultural center Ideja, inaugurated about a year ago and situated in a very strategic position, near a former huge squat, as you can see from the window

Rikko and Marin, and behind them the mural we painted last summer.

And she had a lot to say! The amazing story of a young student deeply moved and involved by the humanitarian crisis, who eventually marries and embraces Bosnia as her own country.

As usual, after one of these trips, I arrive home tired and a bit consumed, but super grateful I had the privilege to spend time with some amazing overcomers! Starting with my two partners, Luca and Rikko, who are always so full of love, energy and ideas. This Walk#9 had more of an emphasis on meeting local people who have been a neighbour for people on the move (and 3 of them got recorded for podcasts!). They all said how much this time meant for them, as they needed the encouragement to continue on their mission. I think we all need it, right? And while travelling, we had time to talk and plan some more activities, Walks, get togethers, etc, so stay tuned in!

Some Good News from Bosnia

We knew we had to go back to Bosnia, for various reasons. People were waiting for us, in camps and squats, and a visit meant we could bring some warmth during the coldest part of the year.

Last time we visited it was in the beginning of December.

In the meantime, a miracle happened, possibly a Christmas miracle. It’s one of those good news you rarely find on the media, especially these days: we heard that Ali, a dear friend who has been on the move for several years and was staying in a camp in Velika Kladusa, was going through many sleepless nights, as the terrible and painful state of his teeth didn’t let him sleep.

A normal dentist wouldn’t do.

That’s why one day I sent a message to Dr. Ibrahim, from the Dental Centar Omnident Clinic in Cazin, explaining the situation and asking if he could see Ali and assess what needed to be done. The replay was pretty catastrophic. There was much work to be done and the cost was higher than what we first estimated. We were thinking to keep collecting donations, when I received the most amazing message from Dr. Ibrahim:

“I will try to collect some money for him, so we can fix all of his teeth. We talked. I talked to some of my dentist friends and they will pitch in.

I will not charge any labour, just the materials and the dental laboratory work.

You can give as much as you can afford, me and my family will cover the rest as charity.

We are happy to put a smile on his face.“

And a big smile he did put on, as you can see in the pictures below. It was great to meet such a young, generous and highly accomplished doctor. Thank you Ibrahim for your sample of love, so precious now, when in our fearful world so many barriers, walls and divisions are increasingly being erected.

And then we spent time with many other dear friends who are still waiting for their turn to cross, who have been on this journey for 4, 5 and even 14 years!

Some are still trying, others understandably feel like giving up.

We played music, drank tea, warmed up around the fire, and had a special dinner out together, something definitely unusual. One of them said: We are like family!

We also got to know some very nice locals, who invited us in and told us a bit of what life is like in these small Bosnian villages.

Yes, there are some good news coming from Bosnia.

It Takes Courage to Be a Refugee – One More Trip to Bosnia

December, time to think of Christmas and all the joy this time of the year brings. But also time to think of people stuck along the borders with Europe, and the terrible conditions they are forced to endure, especially now that the weather is getting cold and rainy.

This is the fifth trip taken this year, and usually we were a team of four or five people. This time we were just two, Luca and I, but the trip was wonderful, intense and life changing.

As usual, the goal of the trip was not to distribute food or clothes, even though we did help people along the way in various ways and still are. The main goal was to spend time with people, where we found them, mostly in their squats, or taking a walk with them, or sitting to have a hot drink together. Yes, it was getting cold and thankfully even the most miserable places had a wood stove.

We took with us a guitar and a strange instrument only Luca could play, called didgeridoo. Music is always an amazing tool to communicate and connect. It can turn the ugliest place into a hall, elevate our spirits to more noble thoughts, break down walls and leave us with special memories. We sang and played everywhere, and in one instance the owner of the bar, who at first didn’t want any migrants and refugees in, changed his mind, joined in the performance, and insisted on paying for all the drinks. That happened on the first day and it encouraged us to go on with our project of re humanisation of relationships between all kinds of people. Here’s a few pictures of our musical performances.

Luca is a professional entertainer, and even though it didn’t work out for him to perform inside an official camp, he didn’t let any other opportunity pass to make children happy, like in these pictures, with his magic, gigantic bubble balls!

Once, we went to visit a group of guys in a squat, and while talking we found out that day was the birthday of one of them! So we sang Happy birthday to you, and more songs, and the following day we shared some food together. S. said it was the best thing that happened in his life since a long time!

We spent a lot of time listening, talking and learning. We are of course still in touch with many of the people we met: some of them made it, some are still there hoping for their turn. Many display an amazing will to live and to overcome any obstacle in order to reach their dream. Some have little light left in their eyes, and that is understandable, considering they’ve been on road for years, encountering all kinds of hardships and violence.

We were impressed by this writing on the wall of one of the squats we visited:

Yes, it does.

People on the Move – Another Bosnia

October 2021: another trip to visit the invisibles who have been flowing through Bosnia since beginning 2018. Here’s some segments from our journal.

It’s been the third trip this year, a project of rehumanisation between European citizens and people on the move organised with Walk of Shame Europe. This time we started from Sarajevo, where Sjouke, Sara and I joined Niels and Theresa, who were already there helping out at Intergreat, a new project of integration started by Sanela, long time activist.

In Sarajevo we got to meet other great world changers, such as the team of Collective Aid

And Ines, of Compass 071. Both NGOs are helping a great number of people on a daily basis, with food, clothes and other basic necessities.

We met Adman and Yasin on the bus and invited them for some food. They both had hurt legs and a lot of stories to tell about pushbacks and the life between borders. Adman and Yasin just read the letter we are giving out to people on the move, the one that starts with:”Dear brother and sister….”. It really brought a smile on their faces, a ray of sunshine in a rainy day and a painful one for them, as they had to walk around on crutches, as a result of a failed game.

In the city center, we had a coffee together with Abdullah and Adil from Morocco. Theresa talked with Abdullah when he was selling tissues to car drivers waiting for a traffic light. By pure coincidence, we met him again when we were walking in the city centre. They were very touched by the fact that we invited them and by the letter we gave them. They said it was the first time they were ever invited in like this.

We then took a bus to reach Velika Kladusa, with the intention to meet Nahid Akbari. a very young and brave Afghani activist and take time with the many Afghani refugees staying at the Helicopter. And we did. Here with Nahid on my left, [you can follow her on her FB page] and Karim on my right.

This morning we finally met Dzeneta, of Emmaus organization, who traveled from Tuzla and today opened a kitchen for distribution of food just outside Velika Kladusa. We met her at the place for showers, same as the one in Tuzla, where we met last March. She is an explosion of positive energy!!

We spent a couple of days at the Helicopter, a makeshift camp of mainly Afghan people, waiting for a good occasion to try the game. There are single men here but mostly families with children. Today we have good weather, but the whole week before has been rainy and cold, imagine living with kids in those conditions. Two local people were cooking food for the group.

People invited us to eat all over the place, even offering us drinks and food they had bought for the game. Even the children kept offering us food and things, such insanely generous people! We talked, played music, ate and had tea, and really connected from the heart.

I personally had a rough night thinking of all these people, families and children we met during these days attempting one more game. Walking thru the woods in fear, like criminals. In the cold, in the dark. Why?

Just check out these pictures:

We then travelled to Bihac, where we briefly met Natascia, a dear friend fully engaged in helping people on the move.

Today we visited the centre of Bihac, along the banks of the Una river. We took a look at some abandoned factory buildings which were migrant squats till recently. One is in the centre, the other one (called the metal factory) is in the industrial area. Not far from the latter is the building that hosted Bira camp.

This is the corner of the cemetery where people on the move are buried when they die in this region. Most of the bodies were not identified. We decided to put some flowers and offer a prayer. Just outside the cemetery we met some people who are living in a squat, and one young man in particular remembered us from our visit last March, and now we are in touch. Keeping in touch is one of the goals of these trips and a great source of encouragement.

I’m so grateful I got to go on one more Walk, for the many reasons I went before, but especially to have the chance to share a part of the journey of people on the move, with shame but also trying to add to the reservoir of love and compassion this world must have. I also believe the ripple effect.

I’m so thankful for my team, an amazing mix of ages, nationalities, backgrounds. It was a great breaking down the walls week!