Volunteering with our local partners is such an important part of who we are at forRefugees.
For example, when we visited Collective Aid’s ‘The Wash Centre’ in Belgrade, a bit tired on Friday afternoon, I saw a snapshot that my brain instantly judged – it’s small, not many people, is this worthwhile?
But then on Saturday fellow trustee Ingrid and I worked a shift and my opinion flipped!
The Wash is really busy, well organised, valued.
Volunteers provide a clothes washing service and showers – all in this tiny space! Along with tea, fruit, kindness, a warm welcome and friendly faces.
The clothes washing service allows each person to leave 10 items that the team will wash and dry for them. Most people will get them back same day, but inevitably some have to wait overnight and very occasionally two nights (as The Wash is closed on Sunday). People are on the move though, so the same day
service is critical. Whilst I was there I was aware of how much is dropped off at The Wash Center wet and, although there’s bright sunny days in Belgrade this week, it’s zero degrees and drying stuff outside just isn’t possible for people. If it wasn’t for The Wash Centre these coats and jumpers and trousers would otherwise be what – Landfill? Or worse, being worn wet for days at a time?
As for the showers – What price can we possibly put on the dignity of taking a shower? Seeing the transformation in a person once they’ve had a hot shower was heart-warming in itself!
Young men walking up the stairs to take a shower very shyly with their head bowed (in shame at feeling smelly or dirty?). Reappearing again 20 minutes later all smiley and confident and chatty, their head held high. A new person!
Young Refugees bonded forever by their shared experiences
There’s an hour of the showers day reserved for minors and I saw three young boys patiently waited for their turn. I guessed the youngest was 12 and that’s just far too young to be on his own in this world. You could see the closeness between the youngsters. Now brothers forever, bonded through shared experiences no one else is ever likely to truly understand.
Later in the afternoon four men came to collect their washing. But then two of them ran back out the Center! When they came back a few moments later for their friends, they were smiling and gave each of us a chocolate bar to say thank you. Humbled? Just a bit…
I might only have been there for one-two days, so still just a snapshot, but these experiences help me, Ingrid, Merel and our other trustees who come out to the field, to understand, appreciate and best support the inspiring work our partners do and what each centre means to the people they exist to help.
Belgrade was our last stop for this two week whirlwind trip to five towns in two countries. At a time in the world so dominated by needs in Ukraine, please remember everyone who is escaping war and fear of death in their home country, for whatever reason. We will not leave anyone behind.
