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At the end of March I was in Athens to witness firsthand the refugee crisis. Seldom have I been so overwhelmed emotionally. This shot was taken in the port of Athens where hundreds of refugees are camped in small tents. The events in Paris and Brussels suggest that the refugees are all intent on malevolent actions. I think this young boy was thinking differently. However, unless we respond in love and kindness, despair will drive him in that direction.

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The overwhelming number of people that we came across were members of families who have been displaced from their home. People, I presume, like you and me. Imagine tragedy striking your hometown and forcing you to leave your country in search of a better future!

We interviewed some of these people. One was an Afghan woman, 8 1/2 months pregnant with 4 children. Her husband, a policeman, had been killed by the Taliban.

We came out of meetings, overcome by emotions, knowing we had more to come. At times we said to each other – no more, we can’t take any more.

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Piers van der Merwe

Born in Zimbabwe, educated in Cape Town (UCT), now living in Knoxville, USA. I travel a lot for work, to a wide variety of venues that affords me the opportunity for taking interesting and varied photos. Hobbies, other than photography, include cycling and reading.
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