37 mannen in angst

#help #support #ukraine We went back to visit the shelter for homeless men that we had visited before. Last time, before we went there, we had our thoughts. Isn’t this partly their own fault, we wondered. Why don’t they work? Why don’t they simply earn their own money? When we arrived, we were welcomed by a church volunteer. Did we want to come inside and have a look? Well, that was exactly why we were there. Inside, we saw a small house… completely filled with bunk beds. 37 beds for 37 men. Two men were in wheelchairs. Their feet had been so badly frozen outside last winter that they had to be partly amputated. A third man was sitting next to them on a chair. There was no wheelchair for him yet. Can you imagine it? Last winter, in that freezing cold. And having to sleep outside. These men were taken off the streets by people from the church and given medical help. We asked what they lived on. The answer was: almost nothing. Only two men had any income. Why don’t you work, we asked. But no clear answer came, until suddenly it dawned on us. When we entered, the gate was locked behind us immediately. Then the door of the house was locked too. “Coen,” I said, “these men are afraid.” They do not dare to go outside. Not because they do not want to work. But because they are afraid of being picked up and sent to the front. They are draft evaders. That is probably why their bank accounts have been blocked and they receive no benefits. That is why they choose this life. This “prison”. They are free to go wherever they want. But they do not dare. We are not going to judge them. Everyone has only one life. And honestly? I do not know what I would do myself if war broke out in our country. So we did not judge. We simply helped. We donated a generator, food and a new washing machine. But what stays with us most is the dilemma. Should these people defend their country, or are they right to choose life? Because once again: we do not judge. More about us: ☞ Visit our website: https://www.frankyandcoen.nl/en/ 📰 Sign up for newsletter: https://www.frankyandcoen.nl/en/nieuw... 👏 Support our actions, donate via: https://www.frankyandcoen.nl/en/donee... 🐤 Follow us on Twitter:   / frankyandcoen