In my experience, this line of work is very honorable, noble and highly respected by those around us. I do it for the love of my family, friends, and everyone out there. Due to some personal and work-related issues, I was active on a low level in the Suriname Red Cross for the last couple of years, but when I heard that volunteers were needed for assistance during this COVID-19 pandemic, my status quickly changed to “available for service”. It felt like a calling and I couldn’t say “no”. Although this disease is a very contagious one, I didn’t hesitate to sign up as frontline personnel. I gather more courage and strength from family, friends and even strangers around me. Their praises about us volunteers in the frontline are very touching.

The Coronavirus outbreak has shown me that communication is a very important key in our daily lives. Talking to each other and exchanging thoughts about how to stay safe in this situation are topics discussed on an everyday basis. People putting their minds together and working together for a common cause, despite other differences. This gives me a great feeling.

From my point of view, the biggest challenge of a volunteers is to stay healthy, especially while working as a frontline. My thoughts go straight to “The people around us depend on us, and if we get sick who will look after them?”. So with that in mind, I do my very best to keep myself and my fellow volunteers safe.

We will get through this if we work together and follow the steps of humanity. Selfishness will not get us anywhere. We as front liners risk our lives for those who are not able or willing to risk theirs. Only by understanding what it means to be fighting for the same cause, shall we be able to beat this.
It’s a great honor to be a part of the Red Cross Society!

Daniël Jonathan Falix
Suriname Red Cross
April 8, 2020