English

Reading log #5
Text title: The White Helmets
Text type: Documentary

The white helmets are a volunteer organisation that operates in certain parts of Syria. When airstrikes drop over Syria, the 3,000 civilian volunteers rush to help the lives of others.The group have saved more than 60,000 people in Syria and the documentary is a academy award winner. Their motto is "To save a life is to save all humanity"

The documentary begins with Abu Omar speaking to us about what the group does and what they have to go through everyday. He says "we are always ready to respond to incidents" As soon as there is an airstrike that hits Apello (city in Syria) the white helmets immediately stop what they're doing and rush to where people have been seriously injured. This shows us not only how dedicated they are to the job, but also how brave these men are. 191 White Helmets volunteers have been killed while trying to save lives. Everyday they would leave their homes to go out and save others, not knowing whether they would even make it home later that night. So a great amount of bravery can be seen throughout the film. I think what's happening in Syria right now is total madness.
The white helmets are making a difference everyday, and they're doing what most of the world have refused to do, and that is to save the lives of Syrians. Innocent people are being murdered, beaten and tortured for no particular reason and a lot of people seem to neglect the fact that there's an ongoing problem in Syria.

I'm extremely fortunate to be living in a country that isn't at war or to be in a country where the people are not living in constant fear. Knowing that there are people out there like the White Helmets shows me that there really are people who are willing to formulate change. A certain part in the film which made me emotional was when one of the rescue members, Khaled Omar was killed by an airstrike just days after saving a 10 day year old baby buried for over 16 hours trapped beneath rubble. Omar was well known for rescuing many civilians during this civil war. This baby is known as the 'miracle baby' for having survived for so long while being trapped. The mother could be seen sobbing near the building until the white helmets rush to help. They had searched for hours and were prepared to give up, until Khaled Omar found and pulled the baby out. They did not lose hope while trying to search for this child.

Overall, while watching the documentary, it has made me feel great sympathy for all Syrians during this terrible time. It has taught me to appreciate the little things and just to be more grateful. The White Helmets certainly brings tears to your eyes but also captures the courage of a rescue group.