It is holiday time in Europe, so there is a lot of traveling going on. A lot of Britons are leaving the country via the Dover-Calais crossing. In recent weeks, that was not so easy. The holidaying Britons in search of the sun are faced by a large group of refugees who are trying to …
Natural history
A little red beetle walks over my arm. On this wonderfully warm Saturday I have nothing on my to-do list, so I can enjoy our square meter of vegetable garden. During the week, Freddy is the hero in the garden who keeps everything alive. The bean plants tumble over their growing strings and bloom abundantly. …
Cheap labour
In April 2013 Rana Plaza collapsed, a random factory building in Dhaka turned into a name that is engraved in the history of Bangladesh. The day before the disaster it was clear that something was wrong because cracks appeared in the walls. That is why the shops on the ground floor had already closed their …
Sentenced to action
I would like to take a moment to cheer for big news from our small country, The Netherlands. A court ruled today that the government should do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Of course it is actually very sad and frustrating that this was necessary. It is 2015, all over the world ecosystems are …
Coming and going
My first impression of Dhaka is a riot of colours. Painted walls and tall office buildings with large billboards. In between rickshaws and cars wring their way to their destination. Just outside the city centre you can find the clothing factories. The women who walk to work, contribute to the colourful scene. I will write …
Unbearable?
The clouds slowly turn orange, but the sky is still blue. I see it all through a small window, and half of my view is occupied by an airplane-wing. Today I fly to Dhaka, Bangladesh. I am going there for 2 weeks to assist with a review of a number of projects in the garment …