After we returned from Italy, Yvonne spent many years supporting an African family on behalf of Dutch Council for Refugees, and she also assisted a family from Syria.

It was rewarding and meaningful work, but also very demanding. Reuniting the family was a difficult and lengthy process, as was integration. There were certainly wonderful moments, such as the birth of children. The hardest time came when one of the children drowned—a great tragedy for the family and for Yvonne, who wanted to support them as best she could.

I have great admiration for Yvonne and how she gave her whole heart to helping these people, who had to find their way in our country after fleeing a war zone.

During those years, Yvonne took many photographs. Here we share a few portraits of these wonderful people from that period.