Lessons of humanity - Real Mum story on MoM

5 Comments

Today is an anniversary. Three years ago on this day I learned many lessons. Lessons about friendship, professionalism, adversity, endurance and most importantly about humanity and the human spirit.
On this day 3 years ago I was on a tiny island in the middle of the South Pacific. This island was simmering. Simmering with the stench of failed human rights, desperation, corruption and tropical heat. The week had seen many outbursts but on this day it overflowed and erupted. Within 24 hours the events of the day would make world headlines and change the lives of many permanently.
65 million dollars of damage would be reported but only a few would see the real damage to once strong men caught in a political policy that was made to break people and serve as a warning to others.
I was present for a riot that left 150 men in a grossly inadequate prison and a further 350 sitting on a dirt patch surrounded by guards. I would witness men cry for their mothers, shake uncontrollably and go into psychosis.
There was no food, no shelter and minimum amount of water. Rumours were rife amongst the men themselves and staff there to provide support to them. Colleagues I described as my good friends would yell & swear at me and tell me that I was some sort of supporter for this terrible policy and by my very presence and theirs being taken away I was a horrible person. But this is not my story. This is the story of those that risked death to find sanctuary and instead found long suffering conditions that has traumatised them in ways that can never be fully healed.
The staff present that day were also traumatised. Most never will be the same or forget that day.
For all I have seen, the terrible conditions, mental anguish and suffering I reflect on all the good I have witnessed. The strength and resilience of people that bleed the same colour blood as we all do, love their families and hold onto hope.
Today I honor them, today I remember, I saw, I heard and I will never forget.

Posted anonymously, 19th July 2016

5 Comments

- - mom81879 said
  - 18 Aug 2016
    8:21 pm
That must have been do hard to witness. There are always 2 sides to every story, rarely do we see or hear this side

- - mom56312 said
  - 24 Jul 2016
    4:59 pm
Thank you for sharing your story. Many people dont even think of where a person has come from and left behind and suffer through…Wishing you a safe home soon…

- - Lori-Anne said
  - 20 Jul 2016
    8:20 am
A very traumatic and life changing event indeed. Thankyou for doing your best for people in their time of need. Our political system fails not only those who want to call this country home but those who have provided care to asylum seekers.

- - BellaB said
  - 19 Jul 2016
    5:38 pm
We really need to take a clse look at how we treat those seeking asylum.

- - mom90758 said
  - 19 Jul 2016
    4:10 pm
It must have been a really shocking experience for you. And life-changing indeed. Surely a moment that brought a lot of traumas in different people.