Yesterday on Twitter someone asked, "Why don't I see any children (in the photos of Syrian refugees)?" So for their benefit, and for anyone else who might be thinking the same question, here's a photo of some kids. The people in the picture above actually look a lot like a family, wouldn't you say? Almost typical, except those are Hungarian police in the background. And the family isn't out for a noonday stroll. They are running away from their country because much of it is now rubble.
The same person on Twitter asked, "And what about women?" So, for the record, here's a photo of a mom walking along a railroad track towards Germany and, hopefully, freedom.
There's also been a Facebook post from someone who questioned the validity of the photo, now infamous, of a young boy who drowned, face down, on a beach who didn't make it to Western Europe at all. The person posting on Facebook said that they heard the photo had been doctored up and wasn't authentic. But the photo was very real and the boy's father was seen in a video crying out for his son and wife, who both perished in the sea.
It's always easier to second guess instead of pitching in to help.
What if we call a moratorium on waiting to lend a hand, and commit to do one thing today. Be it send a donation to an established front-line charity that's in the field offering help, or adding our names to the petitions already circulating in the US and Canada to open up our respective countries to the refugees.
If you've been following the news, it hasn't been good. Hungary has placed razor-wired fences across its borders, forcing the Syrian refugees to head elsewhere to access Western Europe. Officials are worried that they may cross fields that have mines placed in them from a past military conflict. Meanwhile Germany is slowing down on its own commitment, making it much harder for Syrian refugees to enter.
The time has long since passed to sit back and wait to see how this situation plays out. There is no more room for second-guessing.
If you're wondering how to get involved and you're a fan of Ann Voskamp, check out her post from a few days ago here. She has five solid suggestions regarding what to do.
Photo Credits: Matt Cardy, Getty Images
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