A History of Human Cruelty....

This blogging has been most difficult one to write and read....!! In this blog post i want to relay my experience with a heartbreaking piece of History. I will never find the right words to describe what Auschwitz is and what it represent. Auschwitz - Birkenau left me speechless and wordless because i know that what i wrote here wouldn't be adequate enough to capture all the feelings, emotions, thoughts and imagery which i had... Here really i have to thank one of my friend who made fun of me. Before i am going to Auschwitz i really not aware about how to pronounce it. The only thing which i known about this is a concentration camp. Really i am thankful to that friend who made fun of me. Because of you only i started to study more about the "AUSCHWITZ".

In my high school days, i heard about the Holocaust for the first time. For me this event was in the past; an atrocity from an age that no longer existed.

When i was read "Anne Frank's Diary" i was heartbroken for the victims but i was still detached. There was always an emotional distance while reading but once i was afforded the opportunity to enter "Auschwitz" with my own two feet and my own two eyes really that touches my heart with fearful tears. Nothing can ever prepare us for this. Reading a textbook gives you cold hard facts; watching a documentary dug deeps and would evoke emotions of horror, anger and sadness. But being there in the reality mostly i didn't felt nothing. Where the word nothing was filled with so many meanings. I am really out of mind....blank emotions.....took deep breath......!!!

A history of cruelty, the largest mass murder in a single location in human history. #Nazi Concentration Camp#. In reality , the Nazis built three main concentration camp. Auschwitz I,Auschwitz II (Birkenau) and  Monowitz or Buna.

Auschwitz I was the first main camp built by the Nazis, used as a headquarter for the SS and for the first experiments and murders , now turned into a museum. Held around 16.000 prisoners at a time. When i entered into the memorial i felt like i was in the hell. I really can feel the pain of millions and millions of innocent people . Each memorial of Auschwitz have millions of painful fearful stories to say.... which made a hard heartbreaking tears on me. This is not the limit of the horrors of Auschwitz I. It was also the site of disturbing medical experimentation of Jewish and Roma prisoners, including castration, sterilization and testing how they were affected by contagious diseases.

When i entered the gate of Auschwitz on 12th September my heart instantly froze there i was incapable of feeling compassion, horror or human pity. I had just passed the gate where millions of people walked to their death, and i felt completely numb. 

This is the main gate to Auschwitz Concentration Camp, where every victim entered. In the gate they wrote "Arbeit macht frei" which means " Work will make you free". The prisoners thought they were going to labor camps, but in reality this was designed for Mass Extermination.

Fear was everywhere

The camp has been left almost untouched, just like it was when the Nazi left in January 1945. Now the concentration camp have turned in to a Museum. Most of the blocks were opened for visitors. 

The Museum is a path where each building or block with its number, has been given a particular name to show the visitors the horrors that took place during the Holocaust with pictures,signs and explanation panel. 

Double barbed wire electrified fences with armed guards made escape virtually impossible.

This is one of the barracks, 1,000 prisoners were held in one single barrack.

Inside the barracks is a memorial to all the personal items stolen and collected from the victims. There were walls and walls of shoes, eyeglasses, hairbrushes, home goods, even human hair that had been shaved and collected from the victims. It was really horrible and disturbing one. Still i can feel the pain of each victims who screamed for their life....

This is a courtyard between two barracks. When i looked it closely i saw the windows of these barracks are boarded and bricked up.  The soldiers did not want the prisoners to see what was going on in this courtyard.

This wall is where mass shooting execution took place.

Over 1.1 million people died at Auschwitz....

Auschwitz was not big enough to hold all the prisoners, so they built a second camp called BIRKENAU. This is 3 kilometer away from Auschwitz I, where the millions of people died in the gas chambers and from inhuman living conditions. It held more than 90.000 prisoners at a time and more than 1.5 million people (90% Jewish) were killed there.

They built a train track that ran directly into the middle of camp for faster deportation of the Jews.

These are the vehicle that transported Jews. They were originally meant for cattle. So there no enough space to stand straight for a person, the size maybe 20 people could squeeze in. But what is the sadist thing the Nazis packed in a minimum of 80 people in these vehicle. They were held captive in this vehicle for sometimes an entire week while they were being transported. They had no access to food, water or toilets during the trip. Most of them did not event survive the trip to the camp.

The Nazis destroyed the crematorium here in an attempt to hide their horrible crimes.

After the prisoners  were gassed in the crematorium here, the bodies then had to be transported to the ovens and burned. The Nazis did not want to do such a horrible job, so they made the other prisoners do it. These innocent prisoners were given the name "SonderKommando". They were separated from the other prisoners and never lived longer than 6 months, because the Nazis didn't want a single word spreading about what was actually happening in the concentration camp.

The primitive barracks where the prisoners lived at Birkenau were very sobering.

The prisoners slept on these three layer bunks. The bunks just hard wooden shelves with no mattresses or even straw for cushioning. The bottom bunk is just dirt and brick. I cannot even imagine how these innocent people slept  on bricks then having to get up the next morning and do hard work all day. Each bunk is about the size of a queen size bed. So two people could fit on each level. But NO a minimum of eight people were crammed on each level. Really painful to see.....i can't imagine have to breath this stale , dusty air day in and day out.

Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam, the Jewish Area of Prague, Berlin Wall and many other things remind me of the Nazis horrific behavior all over the Europe. Now i realized how painful is that word "HITLER" is for German People.  

After seeing Auschwitz, there was actually a mixture feeling of physical, psychological and emotional illness. The overwhelming feeling that i really wants to throw out. But this  feeling was then followed up with sadness, sorrows but more than that a very strong feeling of anger.  There was full of annoying noise within the silence. I could not remove from my mind the sound of lives that passed through these paths so many years ago.

It struck fear in my heart. Auschwitz was a stark reminder of what happens when intolerance  is accepted. When humans are dehumanized. Auschwitz is an emotionally moving and daunting place but don't let that be an excuse for not going.

I found myself in a bus back to Krakow, my mind filled with million thoughts and questions that will never find a rational answer. My body has returned to Germany but my heart and mind still in the same concentration camp. . This visit opened my inner eye......

Don't complain for unnecessary things....

You are the person who live in a safest place!
You have your own house
You get food for eating whenever you need
You have enough friendly faces around you
You have Everything more than enough....

When you start to complain about something which you are not satisfied, Remember that we had a past...

Where the people lives in inhuman condition

Who does not know what is peace
Who fight for a crust of bread 
Who ate human wastes for their survival
Who screamed out their whole life for their own life...
Who died by horrible torture, starvation, cruelty, ......!!!!

Paradise of Little Angels !! " Summer Camp Days in Naturschutzzentrum"

Personally working at Naturschutzzentrum in summer camp was one of the best Thing i ever did. My Co-workers become my Family, my Campers become my children and my camp become my home.

"Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened " was my Mantra throughout my summer camp days Season 2017 in Naturschutzzentrum. My summer camp days was great but until the Kids have gone through it. It's impossible to know how truly amazing it will be.... I am sure that with each summer the friendships deepen, the fun and experiences are beyond imaginations and the camp truly becomes a second home for all children and for workers too. The summer camp is widely considered as one of the best summer Options for children and Teenagers in Germany.

It's an amazing and happiest thing is to work in the summer camp with children. Honestly my Job description in summer camp is basically to provide fun and spread happiness among children through different Kind of activities.

The summer camp of Naturschutzzentrum started on 03 July 2017 and ended on 11 August 2017. Six weeks of pride Moments. Summer camp of Naturschutzzentrum are designed to provide environmental education and fun for the children all day Long, but as a volunteer i also get to enjoy it too !! The hours may be Long and i may not make Millions but i did one of the most incredible and satisfied work that you cannot imagine.

A drizzly start for the summer camp. Each week different Group of angels.....

Picture a lot of children together in the Campus of Naturschutzzentrum in a camp Setting where they are suppose to do many activities. Everyday i can see the craziest, wackiest and most entertaining versions of children. All of this in the beautiful German sunshine. Each day we engaged the children with variety of theme activities.

We, team members of Naturschutzzentrum had our hands to help the children stand by their side in all struggles. Really i felt Naturschuttzentrum slowly became a paradise where the children are exposing their awesome talents and creativity.

In a week lot of boats were built by the children. I observed that two boys showcased their everlasting interest to built boats and they don't have time for anything else. After seeing their beautiful boat other children also started to built. They together floated all boat into the lake.  A lot of hard work of children made this beautiful scene.

Always a group of children showed their interest towards catching frogs from the small pond of Naturschutzzentrum. The whole weeks of summer camp, different groups  engaged in the same activity. I always feel that one of the children..."MIYA" had a great love on frogs...Whenever she was in the pond she caught some frogs and pamper it like a mother. MIYA is always satisfied when she discovers frogs and if so, she will shows a great love on them every time.

All children worked as an environmentalists, they liberated the pond. They caught frogs and other creatures from pond and brought them back to the pond. They also respected the rights of animals they let them to live free.

Some group of children always spent their time in the water. This quiet serenity passed over to the others. They took off their shoes and wears their swimming suits and lied down in to the mesmerizing cool lake to escape from the hot sun. I always be there and enjoy the beauty of swimming in the lake. I really admired the children's ability of swimming at the same time i felt very bad about that i cannot swim.  Here in Germany even the small children knows swimming.

One day i heard an open statement from one of the parent that " INDIA is very dirty country, Everywhere you only have slums". That time i felt very bad and hard but didn't respond to her comment i just smiled at her and walked away. But only i knows how it feels as an INDIAN.  I decided to show a real India to every parents and children of Naturschutzzentrum.  I approached my mentor Veronika Lindmayer to seek permission from her. I am really thankful to her without any hesitation she said you have full freedom to do whatever you want. I spent my time to make a beautiful movie to show a better India to them. On the last day of summer camp Veronika invited all parents and children for this special session. I displayed my movie on the screen to everyone. After 20 minutes of amazing silence i got a great Applause from everyone. The same parent who said"India is a dirty country" , she apologized to me and she said thank you for showing the other aspects of India, Next holidays i will be coming there !! That moment i felt very proud to be a Volunteer and an Indian Ambassador. Many hearty thanks to my mentor Veronika Lindmayer.

Except these i also organised so many other activities for children like, I organised session for Indian Dance, Indian Cooking, Indian Mehandi, Face Painting and Pookalam Making for the children. But I think the special highlight in my action with the children is " Making a Pookalam" (Flower Mandala). All the children actively participated in this action. As a volunteer from India i also shared the traditional thing behind this "Pookkalam" with the all team of Naturschutzzentrum.

The children also actively participated the other activities like Kies Work, Making of Apple Juice, Knife making out of wood, Water games, Foot Ball, craft items making and Cooking.

Some sad moments also took place in the camp days...My co-volunteer in Naturschutzzentrum "Hussein" from Colombia had to end his service at an early stage.  For the last three months we worked together. Our friendship much more deep by breaking all boundaries of country. Our country, tradition, language and way of living style is entirely different. Still we both talked with the language of heart. We worked together with children and organised different programs. He helped me to learn German. But unfortunately this is the time to say Good Bye to him. Very hard thing for me. Here i am thanking you for all the support and love which you showed to me and i wish you all the best for your future.

And, other hard time is Our LISA (BAT) took her last breath. It was a shock for everyone. Children had a great love on LISA, they mourned this a lot. They dug a pit in the beautiful campus, and there was long mourning process goes on. Finally they carried LISA to her grave with hard tears and with the beautiful flowers they bestowed their condolence to the LISA. Children let our LISA to REST IN PEACE. 

A Tomb for "LISA" Rest in Peace

Everyday all their adventures and
joyful moments will came to an end at the Fire station of Naturschutzzentrum.  There we faculties will be waiting for the children , then the time starts for reflection of the whole day activities. Personally i like this meeting point because this is the only place where Veronika gave me a platform to speak my own mother tongue for sharing my experiences. Its really great honor for me. Thank you Veronika to made me comfort. 

Sometimes there were also problems to be resolved. I still remember a conflict between two siblings. One day the two fought while playing and it become serious one. One hurts other by beating. I really admired how Veronika solved their problem. She patiently heard view points of both. Pin drop silence around us. Only weeping of brothers rises up. The mood was depressed. All of sudden, Veronika asked the elder brother, "Do you love your brother?", He reacted by crying then said "YES". She continued " What do you like most in him?". He gave a crazy answer. Then she asked the same question to younger one also. He also answered "YES". She said "Good!! then everything is is perfect nothing to worry, go near to him and give a hug". 

The moment can't explain through my words. They slowly walk towards each other,  gave a warm and tight hug each other. Their tears stopped a great smile took place in their face. Everyone clapped, at the same time everyone started to laugh... a hearty laugh...Everything gone well. Love...LOVE..., Love is Everywhere !!!

I could see the whole days of summer camp, the children in peace and was happy to see how much they enjoyed this time together. I am sure that all children forgot the computers or mobile phones, it was the time of researching and experimenting something new talents and creativity from them. There were cheerful voices i heard throughout summer camp.

I am sure that we, the team of Naturschutzzentrum touched our goal that to give children as much freedom as possible for their own interests.

Every week the last day of summer camp i got a lovable tight hugs and kisses from the children with a drop of tears. Through that i realized my place and how i influenced  in their little heart. Eagerly waiting for the Autumn Camp !!!

International Consultation

The International Partnership Consultation was held from the 16th through 19th of August, 2017 in Arnoldshain, with the goal of evaluating the partnership relations between the nations and to discuss perspectives for the future. Delegates from different churches from different nations across the globe were present in the Consultation. As a professional social worker, the International consultation was something really interesting for me. Presentations during the conference were sensitive issues of the time. Therefore it opened a platform to discuss a lot and I got the privilege to talk about my experiences from India. Malpractices/corruption/ role of money,etc which is a major crisis whole around the world in this sector, were the interesting discussions in the consultation. It also turned to be a place for evaluating the projects in different countries. Through the different creative methods, we evaluated the shortcomings/challenges of the partnerships and suggested innovative methods to strengthen the relations. The professional way of organising the consultation, and coordinating the whole event without any limitations were the most important learning for my personal/professional life.

World in one room.

Group Discussions

General Assembly

PROUD MOMENT !!

REALLY ITS A PROUD MOMENT FOR ME ! WHENEVER I CAME ACROSS THROUGH THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF NATURSCHUTZZENTRUM I CAN SEE SOME DETAILS ABOUT ME AND MY WORK. REALLY IT IS VERY PROUD MOMENT FOR ME. HERE REALLY I HAVE TO THANK MY MENTOR IN NATURSCHUTZZENTRUM MS.VERONIKA LINDMAYER. WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT, CARE AND LOVE I CANNOT DO ANYTHING WITH CHILDREN IN NATURSCHUTZZENTRUM. ALL THESE WORKS BECOME POSSIBLE ONLY BECAUSE OF YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WRITING ABOUT MY WORK IN THE OFFICIAL BLOG. WHEN I AM GOING THROUGH THIS BLOG ARTICLES REALLY I STARTED TO LOVE AND BELIEVE MYSELF MORE THAN OTHERS. THANK YOU FOR THIS VERONIKA.

MY DEAR FRIENDS, HERE I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME OF THE BLOG ARTICLES OF VERONIKA LINDMAYER.

AUGENBLICK
„UNSERE“ AISHU AUF DEM BENSHEIMER BÜRGERFEST

10. JUNI 2017 VERONIKA LINDMAYER SCHREIBE EINEN KOMMENTAR


Heute zog e ops mich auf das Bürgerfest in Bensheim. Meine erste Frage an einen Bensheimer Bürger war: „Entschuldigen Sie bitte, ich suche das Storchennest?“ Gerhard hatte schon heute morgen gefragt: „Wo soll denn das Storchennest sein? Wo ein Storch brütet, kann ich dir sagen“. Typisch Gerhard. Wir fanden den Platz in der Fußgängerzone, dort herrschte schon großer Trubel. Eine Bühne war aufgebaut und ich war begeistert von dem bunten Treiben, nicht nur der Farben der Kleider, es war ein internationaler Treff. Es gab so viele Stände mit Essen aus allen Kulturen. Ich traf nur auf nette Bensheimer oder „Bensheimer auf Zeit“ aus Indien, Afghanistan, aus Ungarn, der Türkei, Italien…, ein buntes Völkchen war zusammengekommen und bot nationale Köstlichkeiten an – Freundschaft geht schließlich auch durch den Magen.

Mein Blick schweifte gezielt umher. Ich suchte nach Aiswarya, meiner BFDlerin. Sie hatte mich eingeladen, sie bei ihrem Auftritt zu besuchen. Aishu, so dürfen wir sie auch nennen, kommt aus Indien und ist über die Karl-Kübel-Stiftung „Weltwärts“ (Süd Nord Freiwillige) an uns vermittelt worden. (Auf dem Bild ist sie die junge Frau im grünen Sari). Ihre Betreuerin Frau Sames war selbst in Indien und hat dort die vier jungen Menschen kennen gelernt, die nun für acht Monate ihre Erfahrungen in Deutschland machen dürfen.

Es war schön für mich zu sehen, wie sie da oben auf der Bühne standen und tanzten und sangen. Eine Begeisterung war zu spüren, wie ich sie selten erlebt habe. Ganz viel Emotion davon kam bei mir an. Aishu macht auch gute Fortschritte in der deutschen Sprache. Langsam erfahren wir im Gespräch, z.B. beim Mittagessen, was alles neu für sie ist und welche Erfahrungen sie bereits mit unterschiedlichen Sitten und Gebräuchen gemacht hat. Ich glaube, das wird für uns alle eine wunderbare Zeit des Staunens und Lernens sein. Ich bin froh, dass sie bei uns ist. Ihr Lachen und ihre Herzlichkeit sind sehr ansteckend.

Most Powerful Person !!

In Germany, the little green and and red man on the traffic lights seems to be most powerful person. The red man has the ability to stop crowds of people on empty roads during the worst weather anyone can face. There have been times when i would have been running through the streets trying to get out of the sun, wind, cold and rain, yet there will be people waiting on the pavements of empty roads waiting for the green man to let them cross the road, getting battered and drenched in the process.

After a long days in Germany i also started to obey the green and red man even it is hard weather. I really salute the traffic systems in Germany, it is providing a best and secured days for every human being even their outsiders. 

CULTURAL SHOCKS !!!!!

I learn to Smile 😊 to Strangers...

Yes i learn to smile at strangers. Back in India, i rarely smiled to any strangers or even looked back in someone's eyes. Here most of the people will smile at me even though i am stranger for them and say "Hello" , "Guten Morgen" etc while we were passing them. In the beginning i was surprised that how they can smile at strangers but later I also learnt to respond the same way positively with a nice smile. I smile to everyone here, the lady at the counter of supermarket, or the guy selling things or the bus driver and so on.As  Indians we are not accustomed to strangers smiling at us. But here everyone will give a good smile to you if you are interested to do that you can also give a beautiful smile back. It won't cost, but its make your day fresh and  best. I hope when i get back to India if i smile at strangers people don't give me a strange looks.

Greetings and Thank you

Wherever you go like shopping,bus stand,cafe shop, and almost all places the people will greet you by saying "Guten Tag","Guten Morgen", or "Guten Abend". This shifts to next level with other type of questions when i gone for attending a concert like "Are you Indian!!!!???", "What are you doing here?", " Have you tried this restaurant for Indian food? ",  etc...etc......!! I am really happy to hear such things from the German people.

Whenever i am sitting to have food in Naturschutzzentrum even the strangers who is coming to visit the place they will say " Guten Appetit" that means have a good lunch. Really they were made my days with single word.

Public Display of Affection

Pubic display of affection is still not popular in India and sex is still talked about in hushed tones. So, when once i arrived in Germany, its really a shock for me and it  embarrassed me a lot but now after a long days in Germany it liberated me. Here most of the people display their affection towards their dear ones through hug and kiss. Even it is a public place also they will show their affection in the same way. I was impressed by how couples could become oblivious to the world around them stop in the middle of the road and embark on a passionate kiss and hug and how couples did not have to be careful with their display of affection around their kids. Now i also believe that the best way to express our love towards our dear on is " Hug and Kiss"

Unerring Punctuality of Transport

I have been amazed how the city buses are always on right time. If the bus is came early also it will be waiting till their own time. Really the transport systems were marvelous about their punctuality. 

Toilet Paper Tragedy

However much i love Germany, there is something that shocks me till today is how it can make piece with toilet paper. Indians need their splash of water. But now i also learnt to survive without water.!!!

Sun, Water & Nudity

I have seen Germans across all cities share a common love for sun and water and swimwear. In the summer they can be found lounging in their shorts and bikinis and even some people without dress in beaches or lakes. 

Smoking & Drinking is common without Gender Discrimination.

More smokers than nonsmokers, it doesn't have Gender discrimination. While they don't smoke indoors(in bus/trains/buildings or closed shops), i have seen people put a cigarette in their mouth and lighter ready in their hand. Then as soon as they are in the open place, they light it. Every time someone smokes around me. Its a irritated thing for me. I always end up by inhaling some smoke from the people. I always try to find out a place where the smoke not attack me. 

People drink a lot of alcohol, especially beer and wine. People drink beer while walking, partying, travelling in train / bus within the city. Here beer is consumed with food too. One of the favorite leisure activity of people after work includes going to Beer garden to eat and drink beer. 

No Cycles only Bikes....!!!

Here bicycle are called Bikes. Very first day i told my mother that i have to ride bike everyday to Naturschutzzentrum, and she was surprised as she thought i got bike and didn't tell her. In India bike gives a different meaning "Motor Bike". Over the period of time i get so adjusted that i forget the vernacular of my country.  

In this random post i only mentioned some cultural shocks which i experienced my four months of stay in Germany. Waiting for the new things to see and experience...!!!