Seeing a smile on someone's face, when we know there isn't much to smile about. 'Doing something' with which we contribute to alleviating suffering. That's what matters to me. Just being human with each other.

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I have been in the Netherlands with my two sons since March 27, 2022. At the very beginning it seemed to me that everything is different here. But soon I saw hollyhocks, oaks, poplars, maples, seagulls, ducks and pigeons.

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I am here now (in the Social Brigade) because I like to help people. And here is a powerful team, in which we complement each other!

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In March 2022 I came from Ukraine. I live in Onnen with my two sons and now work in Groningen. I'm learning Dutch. Where I can, I help.

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My work allows me to work with many Ukrainians on a daily basis. Got to know them as loyal, friendly and very hardworking colleagues. Who have ended up in a very difficult situation, through no fault of their own. Yet they continue to fight every day for their country, freedom and justice.

At the Social Brigade I have the feeling that together we are strong. And we are there for each other from person to person. It is a pleasure to help with various activities.

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And that's how it started... On a Tuesday evening on TV you see families with children standing on a platform with only an overnight bag. Masses fleeing the violence of war.

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Through a chance meeting with Sandra in the second month of the war, my wife Paulien and I became involved in collecting bicycles and other items for our new fellow villagers from the Ukraine. And one thing led to another.

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Wake up by explosions. The rush to find your passport. A harrowing train journey shrouded in darkness to avoid Russian troops. This is how Ukraine and the world were shaken up.

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No experience with teaching and in my daily work I do something completely different: yet after an evening of 'teaching' I come home happy every time.

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My name is Olga and I came to the Netherlands with my 11-year-old daughter last spring, having fled a terrible war. I remember the morning of February 24, 2022 all too well: We live near Buchi and Irpin, and were awakened that morning by terrifying explosions…

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One of the other silent, driving forces behind many activities and efforts is Wiesje. From Dutch lessons to the Sinterklaas party, from face painting to cooking. Watching an evening of Eurovision or chasing a football. Wiesje is there.

My name is Mariana. I am originally from Ukraine and have been in the Netherlands for one year now. Here I will tell something about my activities for the Social Brigade and how I try to do something for my native country, my motherland and for my people who are here in the Netherlands.

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Being able to contribute something to the integration of Ukrainians in the Netherlands is valuable and also increases the opportunities for the 'students' to work and further participate in society.

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As a Syrian citizen who has faced war twice - first the Syrian war and then the Ukrainian war - I know the feelings of refugees all too well!

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After all the events in the world, I want to give something back to people because I was helped too. I believe I can help and be there for others when they are having a hard time. That's why I'm part of the Social Brigade.

I'm Veronika and I'm from the Ukraine, but since March 2022 I've been living in the Netherlands. At the moment I am located in Haren with my family.

I have been involved in the Social Brigade for over half a year because I believe that I can share the peace and freedom in which I live with people who are forced to flee from war and violence.

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Through the Social Brigade I can contribute to someone else's happiness in a very accessible way.

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I came to the Netherlands on April 22, 2022 with my mother and my two children. I would like to help Ukrainians in the Netherlands, wherever possible. After all, it sometimes happens that someone does not know how and to whom they should address themselves.

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I got involved in the aid for the Ukrainian refugees in Haren through my sports buddy Willemijn. At first it was about collecting stuff. It was heartwarming to see that so many people in Haren contributed.

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"I am socially involved and occasionally try to do something good for my fellow man." Claudia is one of our members who prefers to be active behind the scenes. That is possible and allowed, of course.

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My name is Vitaliia. I arrived from Ukraine in April 2022. War broke out in my country and my son and I had to flee.

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I am Oksana from the city of Lutsk in Ukraine. Recently, two more rockets landed in my city. So I am happy that my children are now safe in the Netherlands. I have been working with children for over 20 years.

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What a good initiative: the Social Brigade. At a time when more and more people are looking for a safe and better life for themselves, family and friends, it becomes important that we connect with each other.

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My name is Natalia. I am a Ukrainian from the city of Dnipro. I came to the Netherlands with my daughter and cat in the spring of 2022. There is war in my country.

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When the war broke out, I was so shocked that I immediately started making a work of art for Ukraine. In order to be able to transfer extra money to the Red Cross, I wanted to sell it, but I didn't think there was enough for it.

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I, Natalia, came to the Netherlands with my family. We fled the war from our native country and a happy life in Ukraine. I worked and still work at a school with Ukrainian children and other children who were forced to emigrate.

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I am Leonid (Leo) Bystrykh. I am a biologist by profession, specialized in data analysis in the field of medical and cell biology. So I am a scientist, write scientific papers and teach biology students.

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What I find so strong about the Social Brigade is that it is a constant starting point that the Ukrainians need.

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During my studies I became interested in Ukrainian history and culture. In 2011 I lived in Kyiv for a short time and traveled around Ukraine. I met so many wonderful people during my time there.

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I like to help people. Because of my work in shipbuilding I have had contacts in Ukraine for over 25 years and have also been to Mykolayiv regularly. When the war broke out I immediately started looking for ways to help.

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I am a volunteer at DSB. I find it important to help my fellow man first and foremost. In Ukraine people live under the most bizarre circumstances, that I would like to contribute my bit. I collect a lot of stuff and I also help organize actions.

I like to think in solutions instead of problems and have a strong aversion to injustice. In my role as a general member I consider it my duty to stand up for others, almost like a rebel shopper. As an entrepreneur I have a valuable network that I like to use when help is needed.

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The values that De Sociale Brigade stands for fit me like a glove: involvement, hospitality, humanity and connection.

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