The helpers

The four brave helpers

Without the efforts of their brave and selfless helpers, none of the eight people in hiding would have been able to stay concealed for so long in a secret annex in Amsterdam. The four employees of Otto Frank's company, Miep Gies, Elisabeth “Bep” Voskuijl, Victor Kugler, and Johannes Kleiman, risk their lives for 25 months to protect the eight hiding Jews from the police.

During this period, they provide the secret annex dwellers with food vital to their survival. They inform the people in hiding about the outside world, comfort them, and reassure them at all times. They always try to cheer up the people in hiding, in spite of all the dangers and inconveniences. Even when food is scarce because of the war, they still give them generous gifts on St. Nicholas Day and at Christmas. 

Anne writes a eulogy to her selfless helpers in her diary that accurately captures their dedication: 

Never have they uttered a single word about the burden we must be, never have they complained that we’re too much trouble. They come upstairs every day and talk to the men about business and politics, to the women about food and wartime difficulties and to the children about books and newspapers. They put on their most cheerful expressions, bring flowers and gifts for birthdays and holidays and are always ready to do what they can. That’s something we should never forget; while others display their heroism in battle or against the Germans, our helpers prove theirs every day by their good spirits and affection.(53%)

After the war, all four helpers were included in the “Righteous Among the Nations List”.

Miep Gies

Miep Gies (n...