Written by: Agnes Kroese, CEO of Dorcas

Freedom? 

I’m in Romania.  Together with teacher Christina, I walk through a neighbourhood where most people are Roma. We visit projects of local partner organisations. Suddenly, Julia comes running towards us, a girl in a brightly coloured dress with a big smile on her face.  Enthusiastically, she wraps her arms around her teacher. Christina responds to the embrace and hugs Julia back. 

Julia feels it 

 This may seem normal to you, but for Julia, it isn’t. The Roma neighbourhood is usually avoided by her fellow villagers. And even though Julia is still so young, she feels it. She notices others talking about her. 

At school, Julia struggled to keep up. Until Christina saw her and the other Roma children. She helped them by giving extra tutoring. What Christina does might not seem so important.  But it is small gestures like these that make a big difference in the lives of people who are excluded. 

Celebrating freedom 

Today we pause and remember. Tomorrow, we celebrate freedom. These two days evoke mixed feelings in me every year. Of course, I am grateful for the freedom we live in, but it still feels double. Worldwide, there are still millions of people who are excluded, oppressed, or worse. I can’t celebrate freedom without thinking about all those people who don’t live in freedom. 

Persecution of Roma 

The Roma community that Julia is part of lives in freedom, but is still stigmatised and excluded. Most of them live in Romania, where there are about two million of them. They too were heavily persecuted during the Second World War. Up to half a million Roma lost their lives in labour and concentration camps. 

After this horrific violence against them – and against all those other population groups – we have unanimously said, ‘Never again!’ And yet, the Roma community is still looked down upon today. They are marginalised and have fewer opportunities. So, they live in freedom, but are they truly free? 

Never again! 

Then I am grateful for people like Christina. People full of love for others, who dare to go against the tide. They don’t look away, they look around. Through all the prejudice, they see the person. 

Let us follow the example of people like Christina. And let us work together, with love and compassion, for a world where freedom and equality are for all. Only then can we say, ‘Never again!’ 

Agnes Kroes is CEO of Dorcas. Agnes:”I contribute with great dedication to our mission in creating opportunities for people and communities to flourish. One of the ways I do this is through a monthly column in Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad. In this column, I share insights from my professional experience at Dorcas. My aim is to inspire, inform and encourage readers to engage with Dorcas’ initiatives, campaigns, and projects.“

Written by: Agnes Kroese, CEO of Dorcas

Surrounded by children, I walk alongside the chief, the local leader of the village. I am back in South Sudan once again. The land I’ve come to call my ‘second home’. From 2019 to 2022, I served as Country Director for Dorcas here. South Sudan ranks high on lists where you don’t want your country to be at the top. The majority of the population depends on assistance and struggles daily to survive. Despite the challenging conditions, I have never regretted my decision to live and work in South Sudan for a few years. The country and its people have touched me in a way that cannot be put into words. And it feels special to be back here.

What do you share when you have nothing?

The chief and I walk towards the centre of the village. A large number of people have gathered under a big tree. They are mostly women and children. Years ago, these people left their homeland, South Sudan, seeking refuge in Sudan. They had just managed to build some semblance of a life when the conflict broke out in Sudan. Desperate, they saw only one way out: back to South Sudan. Back to this village where, as best they can, they find shelter with family. Family who want to be hospitable. But what can you share when you have nothing yourself?

Limited resources

Dorcas, along with ZOA, has initiated a project to support the returning refugees and their host families. We do what we can, but our resources are also limited. And when I see the large group of refugees there under that tree, I feel overwhelmed for a moment. Almost powerless. It’s heart-wrenching to see. What have these people already been through? And what lies ahead for them?

This is the reality of the work of organisations like Dorcas. The number of crises worldwide is rising, and with it, the number of people in need. However, we can only spend each euro once and sometimes have to make very difficult choices. It’s almost discouraging.

Giving up is not an option

But I cannot, I will not, accept the fact that so many people worldwide suffer from injustice and an unfair distribution of resources. We can indeed do something. Even if it’s just a drop in the ocean. You may wonder what the effect is. And indeed, sometimes you hardly see it reflected in the statistics. But I see the people behind the statistics. The people touched by such a drop. Also in South Sudan. The young man in a wheelchair receiving his vocational training certificate with a radiant smile. The mother proudly showing me her goods at the market and telling me that her children can go to school thanks to the income she generates. The group of villagers walking proudly across the newly built dike; when the next rains come, they will be safe from the water.

A sea of peace and justice

So, it may sometimes seem like a small drop, but all the small drops together form a stream. And many streams can grow into a wide river. Into a sea of peace and justice. Is this a utopia? An illusion? Perhaps, but still, I choose to believe in it. Because every drop counts.

Agnes Kroes is CEO of Dorcas. Agnes:”I contribute with great dedication to our mission in creating opportunities for people and communities to flourish. One of the ways I do this is through a monthly column in Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad. In this column, I share insights from my professional experience at Dorcas. My aim is to inspire, inform and encourage readers to engage with Dorcas’ initiatives, campaigns, and projects.“

Written by: Agnes Kroese, CEO of Dorcas

From all sides, women and children come running. By their side, a donkey with empty jerry cans. I am in Yemen. This mountain village depends on only one well. And this well only works when there is electricity. On average, this is maximum one hour per day. On average, because the last time the water pump worked was over two days ago. By now, all the jerry cans have been emptied to the last drops. No wonder everyone rushes to the water pump now that there is electricity for a moment. Water is literally vital in this parched area.

Yemen is located in the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a beautiful country with a rich culture. The Romans called Yemen ‘Arabia Felix’, Happy Arabia. Nowadays, Happy Arabia is hard to find. These days, we mainly know Yemen for the armed conflicts and the humanitarian crisis.

Flood

Due to these problems, Yemenis have fled massively. Many have been living in camps for years, both inside and outside the borders. I was in one of these camps: a barren, open plain. There was no water to be seen in the wide surroundings. When I asked for drinking water, one of the women showed me a jerry can. The water inside smelled and was clearly heavily contaminated.

One in four

Unfortunately, the water problems in Yemen are not unique. Worldwide, as many as one in four people lack access to clean drinking water. With serious consequences: people suffer from thirst daily, become ill, and get diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. Due to climate change, the water problem is likely to only worsen in the future.

Bright spots

It could make you feel hopeless, but fortunately, during my visit, I also see bright spots. Like the extra wells we dig and the latrines being built. Or the installation of solar panels, so that existing wells can be betters. But above all, the sparkle in people’s eyes.

Water and life

The visit to Yemen makes an impression and has motivated me even more to participate in Actie Waterkracht (Water Power campaign). I take on the challenge of only drinking water from March 16th to 22nd. This means that I have to go a week without the refreshing cup of coffee in the morning. I also pass on the glass of soft drink at my niece’s birthday party. This way, I reflect on the people for whom a glass of water is already a luxury item. Especially during this Lenten season, the period of reflection in preparation for Easter.

Moreover, by drinking only water for a week, I save € 17.50. With this amount, Dorcas can provide one person with access to clean drinking water. So, we give water and life. For example, to the people in that mountain village in Yemen. That’s why I participate in Actie Waterkracht (Water Power campaign).

Agnes Kroes is CEO of Dorcas. Agnes:”I contribute with great dedication to our mission in creating opportunities for people and communities to flourish. One of the ways I do this is through a monthly column in Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad. In this column, I share insights from my professional experience at Dorcas. My aim is to inspire, inform and encourage readers to engage with Dorcas’ initiatives, campaigns, and projects.“

Written by: Agnes Kroese

A large group of people has gathered around the ambulance. It is July 2023 and I am in a remote village in Syria. The ambulance comes here once a month and is the only medical post in the wide area. In the vehicle lies a woman. She wipes the tears from her eyes. Years ago, she and her husband had already given up hope of having children, and now it turns out she is pregnant. I am happy for her and congratulate her warmly. At the same time, I wonder what the life of this child will be like. What does it mean when your cradle stands in Syria?

The Syrians have been in the grip of a gruesome conflict for years. Last year, on February 6th, a devastating earthquake occurred. Early that day, with a pounding heart, I called Najla, our Country Director for Syria. It took some effort to reach her. Not because she was injured – or worse – but because she and her team had immediately sprung into action, busy arranging safe shelters, food, water, and medical care. When I stood among the ruins myself last summer and spoke to the people who are still dependent on Dorcas and other organisations for their basic needs to this day, it touched me deeply: ‘What if I had been born here? Would I even still be alive?’

This month also marks the second ‘anniversary’ of the invasion in Ukraine. A few months ago, I visited my Dorcas colleagues close to the eastern front. The people here were concerned about the fighters at the front and feared for the future. At the same time, I saw determination; giving up was not an option. Once again, the same questions almost choked me. What if I had been born in Ukraine? How would I cope with the fear for the safety of my loved ones who would fight for my freedom?

My cradle stood in the Netherlands, allowing me to grow up in peace and good conditions and giving me the opportunity to develop into the person I am now. Being born here is a valuable gift, for which I did nothing. The opportunities I received because of this fill me with gratitude.

At the same time, I often struggle with the question of why I got those chances and others did not. I don’t have the answer to that question, but I do know that this gift also brings the responsibility to share and, following, to show something of God’s love and goodness through our actions. To people who need it here, but also in countries like Syria and Ukraine.

Agnes Kroes is CEO of Dorcas. Agnes: “I contribute with great dedication to our mission in creating opportunities for people and communities to flourish. One of the ways I do this is through a monthly column in Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad. In this column, I share insights from my professional experience at Dorcas. My aim is to inspire, inform and encourage readers to engage with Dorcas’ initiatives, campaigns, and projects. “