A survival story
that inspires change
Lesson Learned: Arjan Erkel
Erik van Gend, Founder and Managing Director of YEARTH Academy, talks to people who know how to get the full potential out of themselves. In the unique and engaging podcast series “Lesson Learned,” a new topic or theme is tackled each time, matching current events and the life experience of the interviewee.
Freedom
The first podcast of this series is about freedom. Something everyone has their own experience with. Erik talks to none other than Arjan Erkel, an extraordinary man with an interesting and poignant survival story. Arjan can tell from his own experience how to deal with restriction of freedoms. As Arjan himself says, “As a person you can do so much more than you ever imagined.” We are therefore convinced that his story, willpower and outlook on life can inspire many to change.
About Arjan
Arjan Erkel, an anthropologist by profession, has been in Dagestan as Country Manager of MSF since April 2002. In neighboring Chechnya, a war is going on at the time and MSF is helping refugees. On Aug. 12, 2002, he was kidnapped in Dagestan’s capital. He was held prisoner for 607 days in the mountains in a pen underground. Arjan experienced how important it is to keep hope, to remain positive and to keep trying with persistence and perseverance to keep conditions as livable as possible.
Soon after his release, he was booked as a motivational speaker and published a book. With his survival story, he inspires many to also get moving to change or improve their lives. He also co-founded Free A Girl; a foundation that holds a special place in our hearts.
The Lesson Learned podcast series was recorded on the YEARTH Campus.
