EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED BUT NOTHING IS DIFFERENT: By Kirsty Bimble, 4th October 2016

A year ago today I found myself heading to Calais Refugee camp with a car load of aid. I had no idea what to expect, I was completely unprepared for the realities of what I was going to witness. One year on, things snowballed and we have formed a charity. There are days when the distress, frustration and rage I feel nearly breaks my soul. I sometimes secretly wish I had never volunteered so that I could have remained ignorant and naive about the world and how we treat our fellow humans. Some days it makes me cry, some days I despair, others days I feel shame.

Then I think about all of the amazing people that I have had the pleasure of meeting, who have shone a light into my darkest places to show me hope. I have been taught so much about the world and about myself by connecting with people who would have remained strangers had I not dived blind into trying to do something, anything to try and make a difference in someway. All I know is I can't sit back and do nothing.

This past year has changed me more than I could have ever imagined. I have now witnessed how cruel and evil actions are done to others by humans. I have felt the true kindness of people sharing the nothing that they have - it almost floors you. I have felt the deafening silence of friends who just don't want to know. I have been in awe of communities coming together to be the change they want to see. I have encountered people who have such spirt and resilience, it makes my heart sing.

But nothing is different.
We are still living in an idiotic small minded "look after our own" society that promotes segregation and hate and tries to deny solidarity, generosity and compassion. We are all humans, why people can't understand this simple fact, I will never know. Maybe it's people's selfishness and greed that stops them realising we are all the same.

There are days when I want to scream at people's selfishness and days when I cry with pure happiness at people's kindness and generosity of heart.
In the next few weeks, the Calais camp will be torn down, forcing people to flee once more. There are 65 million displaced people in our world; this is not ok when we all have the power to act. I want to know that I have done everything that I can to be the world I want to see.

The enormity of the situation can feel intimidating, but small acts make a big difference- never forget that.
I want to thank everyone who has supported me in so many ways. I am truly grateful to live such a privileged life, I am so lucky. We all have something to be thankful for.