Canadian Red Cross worker exhausted, rewarded by Syrian refugee experience

Vancouverite Matthew Colling is exhausted from a series of night shifts spent registering some of the thousands of refugees that continue to arrive in Germany.

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But how he feels doesn't compare to the exhaustion felt by the people he welcomes as a representative of the Canadian Red Cross.

Family after family arrive at all hours of the day.

"They're all tired, they got small children, some disabled children, elderly parents … who have been on that road for days, weeks, months,"

Colling welcomes them with the most basic necessities such as food, blankets, and clothes.

"I see the small children and the blisters on their feet and inadequate shoes, and not very warm clothing," he said.

"I think back to the first bus load of people that got off, maybe one of the more difficult moments I've had in my career, trying to keep my composure," recalls Colling, who has a young daughter.

Some of the children arrive alone, Colling said.

"He lost all of his family when he was 12," said Colling of a 16 year-old boy from Afghanistan who made it to Germany on his own.

"He was on a boat that capsized, he was rescued," he said "it is amazing he even made it this far in his journey."

Colling has tried to learn Arabic, Farsi and Urdu to be able to communicate with those he meets.

There is much sadness, but there are also heartwarming moments, such has when he witnessed a family reunite after decades apart.

"Running onto a bus, two brothers, and their families behind them, who haven't seen each other in 20 years. It is a testament to the power and roots and bonds that family hold, even across the sea"

"To be able to witness that and actually be part of facilitating those things, has been one of the more rewarding experiences I've been part of."

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelled Refugee resettlement in Germany with the CBC's Rick Cluff on The Early Edition.