Trigger warning: depressive and suicidal content, mention of mental illness and PTSD What I am writing in this blog today is the scariest thing I have ever shared. It’s already hard to talk about it to people who are close to me. I am sharing it because writing is a kind of therapy for me. … More Today I am taking my first pill
It was 45 degrees Celsius and I was walking around in one of the many IDP camps in Iraq. In this setting I met a very special artist, living in a 5-star tent. When I started writing this blog I got caught up in trying to explain the history of Iraq and the many wars … More A very special artist in a 5-star tent
In the last months I have not written any blogs, and neither posted any photos. Not because nothing has happened, neither have I lost my passion for photography. There were so many changes in my life I can hardly keep it up myself. And within all these rapids I find it very difficult to share. … More Chasing after the wind
We take so many things for granted in our life. And most of the things you won’t even realise that you need it, until you are out of it. When your well runs dry. When your source is empty. I am working in the WASH sector for a few years now. And I know all … More You won’t miss your water until your well runs dry
For those who want to read quick and efficient; please go directly to the last paragraph. For the others, enjoy the reading towards the last paragraph. Vulnerable households are those who had to flee their own village because of fighting. They walked for days with a few items they could carry and had to find … More Where to go? There, where there is most need?
Rest and Relaxation (R&R) is often a topic for conversation amongst aid workers. It is a bit like how we are talking about the weather in the Netherlands. If you meet someone, the way to start a conversation is making a comment about the weather. This is how you come closer to each other. Whether … More About Rain and Relaxation, and being lucky I am not made out of ice-cubes
I am walking with my bag and camping gear through the heat of the sun towards the landing strip. Actually I should have caught my flight yesterday but the trip was cancelled one evening in advance. It was decided that the Juba airport needed maintenance and will therefore be closed. These unexpected things can only … More Three samosa’s, a boiled egg and ginger tea
So mother, so child If you are always on the run? How would you feel? Afraid? Alone? Scared? If you lost another harvest? How would you feel? Frustrated? Angry? Sad? If you can’t afford to buy food? How would you feel? Stupid? Insignificant? Screwed? If you can’t feed your child? How would you feel? Ashamed? … More So mother, so child. How would you feel?
I am realising more and more that “the field” is actually a place you cannot reach. It is the place that is always farther, more rural and more difficult to reach than where you are at that moment. And once you have reached that place it is kind of the field has moved away from … More The never-ending fractal of “the field”
Wondering Nomads 