Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly collection by which NPR’s worldwide workforce shares moments from their lives and work around the globe.
It was my fifth day aboard a ship within the Mediterranean Sea with the humanitarian group Medical doctors With out Borders, whereas reporting on their makes an attempt to rescue migrants stranded at sea. We would set off a 12 months in the past from the Italian port of Civitavecchia, and within the 10 days I used to be aboard their ship, the Geo Barents, they saved 258 lives.
These migrants — some complete households, one teenager touring alone, many younger males, a mom together with her three younger kids — had began their journey in Libya, paying smugglers 1000’s of {dollars} for this opportunity to achieve Europe. A shot at nighttime.
For the rescuers on the Geo Barents, this work was exhausting, traumatizing — and provoking. They could possibly be at sea for months. The very best respite was on the boat’s helipad. The spot variously served as a jogging monitor and a spot for yoga and meditation. There can be a number of employees members at anyone trip working within the afternoons.
One night, the rescuers and I watched as these dolphins swam alongside the ship. Their leaps and video games within the frothy water made our hearts soar. It jogged my memory that even on this generally merciless world, life and sweetness persist.
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