Are you a spy for the government?!

It is so shocking when you think you are reaching out to someone in a very uncertain situation, and they point at you with the question: "Are you a spy for the government?" This drove me to tears when we visited the Glenvista Rifle Range refugee camp during the seminar.

We had to prepare ourselves for a Live Stand-up exercise by speaking to the refugees. I interviewed an old man from the DRC who spoke to me on behalf of a whole group from the DRC. They mainly came from Jeppe. A pastor and human rights observer, José, was my translator because this old man could only speak basic English. (His home language is French.) During the interview the elder got upset and pointed to me with a crooked finger telling me in French: "You, you are just standing there, you are not making many notes. Are you a spy for the government?"

I could feel fury working itself up from my hart to my head, when I noticed the fear in this man's black eyes with the blue circles around them. For a moment he reminded me of my grandfather who passed away a few years back, and my throat started to close up. I answered with a heavy heart: "No, I'm not a spy. Do you want to see my business card? I'm just here to tell your story."

He raised his hands in apology, and while telling me how they feel about being in a camp - while they just want to stay in a safe and peaceful place - tears started rolling down my cheeks. I felt so ashamed, because they started to comfort me, while they are the ones being wronged and who needs love and attention. "Don't cry, don't cry. It's okay. We think we'll be okay."

Can you think about having your father, mother, grandparents, siblings, other family members or friends trapped in a cage like an animal on display...? Enduring living conditions with little food, sharing 50 toilets with 2300 other foreigners and sleeping on a floor, to keep them safe from people who are supposed to care for them? This thought overwhelmed me. It overwhelmed me, but also gave me new inspiration.

To be a journalist is such a privilege! I get to tell the stories of incredible people, who are brave and so human. This is a privilege I will treasure forever!