How Medmänniskor Began

April 17, 2018, marked the beginning of Medmänniskor ("Fellow Humans"). Reza Madadi was at home, like many others, following the horrific terrorist attack on Drottninggatan in Stockholm. Many were injured, lives were lost, and fear gripped the city's residents.

"I was deeply disturbed and felt compelled to do something, so I did the simplest thing possible. I made sandwiches, brewed coffee, and went out into the city. Many were in shock, and the fact that such a simple act of kindness was so appreciated in the midst of chaos profoundly affected me," Reza recalls.
That experience led Reza to continue making sandwiches, brewing coffee, and venturing out into the city at night.
"I gained so much energy from those encounters, and it felt wonderful to be able to do something. I discovered so many people who lack everything. They sleep on the streets, forgotten by society."

Reza and Ali

Friends joined in, coming and going, and Reza handled most things day by day, seven days a week. After about a year, Reza and Ali found each other.
"We have a mutual friend, and I thought Ali, like many of my friends, would eventually lose interest, but he didn't."
Reza's passion and Ali's organizational skills allowed Medmänniskor to take shape.
"We were still making sandwiches at home. But then we realized we could do more, so we contacted restaurants to establish better continuity," says Ali Yenidogan.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Several organizations distributed food and clothing at Stockholm Central Station, but Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were days when no one came. Those became Medmänniskor's days.
Today, Medmänniskor has a team of about 30 people who take turns being present during late evenings.
On this particular evening, as 11 PM approaches, Ali, Fethullah, Sinan, Adan, Linda, and several others roll in a cart filled with food containers through the upper entrance.

Freshly Cooked Food

Restaurant Kouzina provides the food: about 130 portions of freshly cooked beef, chicken, and fried potatoes. All the food containers are carefully packed in large styrofoam boxes to keep them warm. Already at the entrance, the group is met by those who have been waiting.
"What kind of food is it? Do you have coffee? Do you have jackets? Do you have socks?"
Ali and the others in Medmänniskor greet everyone and distribute food. Jackets and shoes are tried on. These are clothes that have been collected by Medmänniskor and their friends, now providing warmth in the cold.

Anyone Can Do Something:

"This is a part of society that not everyone knows about. I learned a lot during the first years when we sought out people outdoors and saw their care for each other. Some declined food and asked us to give it to others who were hungrier," Ali recounts.
The cart and the team make their way down to the ground floor of Central Station. People are sitting on all the benches. Few are waiting for a train. Most are hoping for a night with a few hours of sleep.
Everyone in Medmänniskor shares the same core values: that anyone can do something, and a simple act shows that someone cares. A meal won't change a life, but it can mean a night with less hunger.

The Joy of Helping

"I'm often asked, 'Why do you do this? What do you gain from it?' And the answer is, I don't make any money. What I get in return is the joy of knowing I've been able to help a fellow human who needed something I could give. That's worth more than any money," says Reza.
Reza is pleased with how Medmänniskor is organized today but hopes for more.
"My dream is to have our own space near Central Station. Then we could reach even further. We could make coffee on-site, our carts could be stored there, and if we have leftover drinks or food, we could store it," says Reza.

Actions Build Empathy:

The styrofoam boxes are starting to empty. Only a few food containers remain. Some linger, hoping for an extra portion.
"I want to continue doing this as long as I can. My actions define who I am, and I want to believe that actions build empathy. And empathy is something we all need," says Ali.
The team turns around, says goodbye, and thanks everyone. Tomorrow is Friday. Sometime after 10 PM, Medmänniskor will be back.

Text: Lisa Nore