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Inspiring Women SUMMER 2020

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Supplying the Frontline in Holland<br />

EMMA BONJER<br />

FAWCO Youth Cultural Volunteer 2015<br />

Lives: Amsterdam, the Netherlands<br />

Emma Bonjer, daughter of AWC Amsterdam<br />

member Martha Canning, was a FAWCO Youth<br />

Cultural Volunteer in 2015. After traveling to<br />

Mumbai with the Youth Program she decided to<br />

study medicine as she wanted to develop skills to<br />

be able to make a difference for people in need.<br />

For now her studies have moved online due to the<br />

virus and she has decided to do her part in fighting<br />

against the pandemic by volunteering. The<br />

<strong>Inspiring</strong> <strong>Women</strong> team asked her about her<br />

experiences assisting with sourcing supplies needed<br />

during the COVID-19 crisis and this is what she said:<br />

Emma assisting with supplies needed during the<br />

COVID-19 crisis<br />

What was the first step you took to get involved in<br />

the COVID-19 response? I signed up to do<br />

volunteer work through an online form for medical<br />

students. A few days later, I was called to work on a<br />

project. I was pleased to be a part of a team<br />

working to combat this new virus, and to be able to<br />

contribute in some way.<br />

What has surprised you most about life dealing with COVID-19? How well we can work together<br />

virtually, and how much we can achieve online. I have<br />

found working online in this situation to be very productive<br />

and an easy way to communicate with colleagues.<br />

What is the most important thing you have discovered<br />

about yourself and others through COVID-19? During<br />

COVID-19 I have noticed how creative people are in<br />

solving problems. I have also been reminded of the<br />

goodness of my fellow human beings. I have witnessed<br />

enormous amounts of goodwill during this period, which<br />

have reaffirmed my faith in people.<br />

What do you do to keep on top of your own stress and<br />

mental health during COVID-19? It might sound strange,<br />

but I have found this time to be more interesting than<br />

stressful. To take care of myself and make sure that I'm on<br />

top of things, I take time to exercise. I like to go outside for<br />

a run or walk, or do a home workout.<br />

What 3 things are you looking forward to doing once the<br />

pandemic subsides? Once the current crisis subsides, I want to resume my studies in person,<br />

meet up with friends and go back to the gym. I've found that it's surprising how much you can<br />

miss the little things in life. To be able to meet friends for coffee or dinner, or to go to a film or<br />

concert: these are the things for which I've developed a new appreciation.<br />

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