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“I feel that the Red Cross Student Desk has become less familiar since the Corona period. Back then, I learned about the Desk because my roommate was involved. I had no idea what it was all about. This year I'm finishing my last few courses and preparing my Psychology study paper, so I found myself having some time up my sleeve to do something that makes a difference. After attending a board interest day, I decided to apply. That’s how I became a project coordinator. What I love about this job is that you are really involved in every major project of the Desk. It was one of the reasons for me to embrace this position. You have lots of freedom to initiate something yourself. At the Student Desk in Groningen, the mindset is this: 'We welcome any ideas and input from students who try to make a difference.” I love the creativeness, sense of freedom and project responsibility at the same time.

I’ve been working at the Desk for only a short while now, and yet, we have already done so many amazing stuff. For example, we teamed up with a refugee organisation called INLIA to provide ‘buddies’. For example, they can accompany you to medical appointments or they are just there for a chat. INLIA itself did not have enough volunteers for that, so we stepped in. Some refugees have been in the Netherlands for more than a year and a half with poor prospects. Being able to help those people, I think, satisfies the need. Another project was about organising a fun day for kids with a mental and/or physical handicap. We made music together and left them easy-to-play musical instruments. It was a very happy day and a great joy to see their smiling faces for a change. Many students wonder how they can contribute. I sincerely believe every little of help can make a difference, for all those involved. For me, the Red Cross Student Desk is a place that gives me great satisfaction because I mean a lot to others.”

“I joined the PST because I believe volunteers often end up in unpleasant situations. Where most people prefer to look the other way, we send our volunteers there for help. Sometimes to some very serious cases. Our people can suffer as a result. So, it is important to provide aftercare at times when volunteers struggle. Police officers, firefighters and ambulance staff are getting the very same support.
If anything happens to you, don't be afraid to talk about it, to process the experience. The PST offers first psychosocial support. In most cases, having a talk is enough and there is no need to visit a doctor.

Last year we visited the shelter centre in Ter Apel after a child had to be resuscitated. There, the emergency services called in the PST themselves. We spoke to all the volunteers involved and they really appreciated our presence. Fortunately, the boy was OK. They chatted about what had happened over a cup of coffee. The next day we learned some had already signed up for the next service. The thing is, no matter how tough or experienced one may be, the breaking point will present itself at some stage. I hope the PST can prevent someone from losing control and leaving Red Cross eventually. That’s the biggest motivation for me to do this work.”

The PST is available to all colleagues of the Netherlands Red Cross. If you're going through a difficult experience, talking can help you get through it. So never hesitate to get in touch if you feel the need. The PST can be reached at tco@rodekruis.nl  
 

“I used to be a landscape architect and teacher. Never done any humanitarian work before. I emigrated to the Netherlands from Ethiopia, to step into a whole new world. I found out many elements of the emigration process required a change for the better. And so, I decided to join a department called Restoring Family Links (RFL). In the process of migration and the reunification of families and loved ones, I would like to contribute to a better ecosystem in which everyone is able to flourish. I want to limit as much as possible the emotional damage people suffer in the long-term and exhausting migration process. At the Netherlands Red Cross, cultural advisors help increase knowledge about migrants, their different cultures, norms and values. As a cultural advisor, I give presentations about cultural values, share my experiences and advise on cultural sensitivity to various sections of the Netherlands Red Cross. You can't blame people for having certain views. No one knows all cultures. Nevertheless, experience shows that both sides are often open to criticism and listening to each other's story. By sharing our cultures, we contribute to better mutual understanding.

This kind of work can be quite overwhelming, because you meet people during the most vulnerable stages of their lives. You wish you could take away all their problems, but you can’t. Ideally, you want to give a date when the immigrants will see their loved ones again. But often it takes a lot of time to trace someone's family. I too found my husband through RFL, so I know exactly what they are going through. As a result, I am often involved at a personal level, but it gives me great satisfaction to be able to contribute to the process. My position is not only about culture, but also about building human connections. The Netherlands Red Cross seemed the right place for this, because to them you are a fellow human being. Origin, ethnicity, religion, etc... it’s irrelevant. Every person is treated fairly and equally."