Clothing, blankets and rompers from Him to disaster area: “Can’t do more than this”

On Tuesday – a day after the devastating earthquake that claimed thousands of lives – the relief effort started. Via via, Mehmet was asked to start a collection in this corner of the country. Since then his phone has been ringing red and people come and go with full pockets, bags and boxes. Everything for a good cause.

Kilos worth of diapers, rompers, pajamas, winter clothes, shoes, tents, sleeping bags fill the shed. “We sorted everything and packed the boxes until late last night. There are quite a few. Whether it’s 50 or 100, I don’t care. I didn’t expect this. It’s very nice to see that everyone is hands up its sleeves. I have no words for that.”

Understandably, these are emotionally tough days for Mehmet. “It’s coming in hard. I have acquaintances and friends in Turkey, but fortunately things are going well. I follow the news as little as possible, I don’t want to see it either. The images you see are bizarre. It’s just painful. I’d rather spend my time on this than sit behind the tube all day.”

A call on social media had no effect. Many a car knows how to find its way to his company in Hem on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Two women from Hoorn unload garbage bags, bags and boxes. “There is everything, actually everything they need. We hoarded, including at the neighbors.”

The other woman adds: “It’s terrible what happened there. Normally we take it to the recycling center, but now here. We feel sorry for the people there.”

It pleases Mehmet, but it still gnaws. “I actually think I’m still doing too little, but I can’t do more. I can’t go there and get the people out from under the rubble. I would like to, but that’s not possible.”