Helping Refugees in Gevgelija
Donation protected
Many of you have been watching the news and have witnessed this horrible refugee crisis across Europe. Well, Chris and I cannot sit back and watch anymore! We have decided to drive across Europe to meet up with our friends Adam, Liz and their son WIlkie who are full-time volunteers in Thessaloniki, Greece. This beautiful caring family have been working hand-in-hand with the Red Cross to assist in any way possible with the refugees in Gevgelija, Macedonia.
Our Plan
Winter is coming. Therefore, our plan is to fill our van with warm clothes, shoes, blankets, backpacks and anything else that is not easily and cheaply purchased in Greece. Along with our corner-to-corner packed van we hope to raise money to assist with our travelling costs, as well as purchasing items such as diapers and sanitary products on arrival.
"£2.50 would buy a woman's hygiene pack (1 large pack of wet-wipes, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, elastoplasts, miniature deodorant and sanitary pads). £2 would buy a food pack (1/3 loaf of bread, a tin of meat, cheese, a large tomato, a cereal bar, a chocolate croissant, fruit and juice carton)." - Liz
Latest Update - Adam, Liz & Wilkie
Yesterday we travelled up to the Macedonian border town of Gevgelija. You may have seen it on the news. Sadly the growing number of refugees is becoming unmanageable for Macedonian security forces, who fired tear gas canisters into the crowds of people trying to cross the border using what had previously been an accepted route. Images released by news agencies were very upsetting.
Many were of families in desperation with police not knowing how to handle the situation. We were about 2 miles away, at the station, waiting for the groups who are being allowed to come through in controlled numbers. By the end of the day there were around 500-600 people waiting for a train while, reportedly, another 3 thousand were waiting at the border with more arriving all the time.
The picture of the 3 little boys was taken by a BBC journalist at the border.
You can see them just after Wilkie gave them toy cars a few hours later. They were much happier at this point, settled with their relieved parents, waiting to try and get on the train that would take them to Serbia.
Most of the people we met were refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, fleeing from danger. One lady I spoke to had been a Nurse Manager from an emergency department in a hospital in Damascus, Syria. She was travelling with her sisters, cousins and their children, their husbands having gone before to take refuge in European countries. She wept as she told me how she has worked in the hospital for many years but could no longer cope with seeing such, "very bad things, terrible terrible things, especially with the children and so young people". She was afraid for her family everyday and so they decided to leave. She told me of the perilous journey they had taken and again cried as she spoke of how afraid they were for their children on the over-filled boats as they crossed the sea, but that they knew it was the only way to give them a chance. It has taken them 2 weeks to get to Macedonia from Syria, by boat and walking, and they were so thankful for the food, clothes and hygiene products (especially feminine hygiene) we were able to provide.
We met all kinds of people. Adam chatted with a surgeon from Syria who had a hand injury from the clashes with police at the border. We were able to give him some simple first aid supplies and food. He was visibly shaken but pleased that they were at the train station. They had been walking for 2 weeks straight, overland Turkey and Greece.
We saw one beautiful scene where we heard a shriek and then a young woman came flying down the platform and threw herself into the arms of an older couple, her parents. They were all weeping and laughing and kissing each others faces. Many of those standing around began to cry and laugh as well as we found out they had been separated during their journey and, having no way of contacting each other and not having a plan as to where they were going, they thought they were lost to each other and would never see each other again!
CNN reported from the train station yesterday, saying that the refugees are relying on the kindness of strangers. We were some of those strangers yesterday but everyday our friends in the local Church buy supplies (using a little money Tommie has been able to raise) and make up a few food packs to help however they can. We asked the refugees what they needed. Food, water, clothes and hygiene products (especially feminine hygiene and baby wipes) were the main things. Some things we can collect and take with us but it is cheaper to buy food and hygiene products in Macedonia, also boosting the local economy. To do that, we need money. So there it is. If you can, please give us money for food and hygiene packs.
You can best do that by giving it to Sue Whiteley, who is coming out in early September or through Highway Christian Church. Either of these will avoid current bank withdrawal restrictions in Greece. If you prefer to put it directly into our UK bank account then message us and we'll give you details or go to http://www.encountercompassion.org/#!donate/c1ghi and use our Paypal account.
£2.50 would buy a woman's hygiene pack (1 large pack of wet-wipes, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, elastoplasts, miniature deodorant and sanitary pads). £2 would buy a food pack (1/3 loaf of bread, a tin of meat, cheese, a large tomato, a cereal bar, a chocolate croissant, fruit and juice carton).
As we were leaving, a thunderstorm was rolling in and it began to rain. There was very little shelter for the hundreds of people sat on the platforms and the track. A few had tents they could use but not much space to put them up. As we drove home, we passed another 150 people walking in groups up the side of a main highway in the dark, many carrying children. It is heart-breaking. There are no words for how we felt and we get to come home to our comfortable apartment with all our stuff and a safe, fed, happy sleeping little boy. If you can help and be some of those 'strangers' showing kindness, please do. We will make sure your money gets to the people who need it.
Thanks
Liz, Adam and Wilkie
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34014353
Our Plan
Winter is coming. Therefore, our plan is to fill our van with warm clothes, shoes, blankets, backpacks and anything else that is not easily and cheaply purchased in Greece. Along with our corner-to-corner packed van we hope to raise money to assist with our travelling costs, as well as purchasing items such as diapers and sanitary products on arrival.
"£2.50 would buy a woman's hygiene pack (1 large pack of wet-wipes, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, elastoplasts, miniature deodorant and sanitary pads). £2 would buy a food pack (1/3 loaf of bread, a tin of meat, cheese, a large tomato, a cereal bar, a chocolate croissant, fruit and juice carton)." - Liz
Latest Update - Adam, Liz & Wilkie
Yesterday we travelled up to the Macedonian border town of Gevgelija. You may have seen it on the news. Sadly the growing number of refugees is becoming unmanageable for Macedonian security forces, who fired tear gas canisters into the crowds of people trying to cross the border using what had previously been an accepted route. Images released by news agencies were very upsetting.
Many were of families in desperation with police not knowing how to handle the situation. We were about 2 miles away, at the station, waiting for the groups who are being allowed to come through in controlled numbers. By the end of the day there were around 500-600 people waiting for a train while, reportedly, another 3 thousand were waiting at the border with more arriving all the time.The picture of the 3 little boys was taken by a BBC journalist at the border.
You can see them just after Wilkie gave them toy cars a few hours later. They were much happier at this point, settled with their relieved parents, waiting to try and get on the train that would take them to Serbia.
Most of the people we met were refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, fleeing from danger. One lady I spoke to had been a Nurse Manager from an emergency department in a hospital in Damascus, Syria. She was travelling with her sisters, cousins and their children, their husbands having gone before to take refuge in European countries. She wept as she told me how she has worked in the hospital for many years but could no longer cope with seeing such, "very bad things, terrible terrible things, especially with the children and so young people". She was afraid for her family everyday and so they decided to leave. She told me of the perilous journey they had taken and again cried as she spoke of how afraid they were for their children on the over-filled boats as they crossed the sea, but that they knew it was the only way to give them a chance. It has taken them 2 weeks to get to Macedonia from Syria, by boat and walking, and they were so thankful for the food, clothes and hygiene products (especially feminine hygiene) we were able to provide.
We met all kinds of people. Adam chatted with a surgeon from Syria who had a hand injury from the clashes with police at the border. We were able to give him some simple first aid supplies and food. He was visibly shaken but pleased that they were at the train station. They had been walking for 2 weeks straight, overland Turkey and Greece.
We saw one beautiful scene where we heard a shriek and then a young woman came flying down the platform and threw herself into the arms of an older couple, her parents. They were all weeping and laughing and kissing each others faces. Many of those standing around began to cry and laugh as well as we found out they had been separated during their journey and, having no way of contacting each other and not having a plan as to where they were going, they thought they were lost to each other and would never see each other again!
CNN reported from the train station yesterday, saying that the refugees are relying on the kindness of strangers. We were some of those strangers yesterday but everyday our friends in the local Church buy supplies (using a little money Tommie has been able to raise) and make up a few food packs to help however they can. We asked the refugees what they needed. Food, water, clothes and hygiene products (especially feminine hygiene and baby wipes) were the main things. Some things we can collect and take with us but it is cheaper to buy food and hygiene products in Macedonia, also boosting the local economy. To do that, we need money. So there it is. If you can, please give us money for food and hygiene packs.
You can best do that by giving it to Sue Whiteley, who is coming out in early September or through Highway Christian Church. Either of these will avoid current bank withdrawal restrictions in Greece. If you prefer to put it directly into our UK bank account then message us and we'll give you details or go to http://www.encountercompassion.org/#!donate/c1ghi and use our Paypal account.
£2.50 would buy a woman's hygiene pack (1 large pack of wet-wipes, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, elastoplasts, miniature deodorant and sanitary pads). £2 would buy a food pack (1/3 loaf of bread, a tin of meat, cheese, a large tomato, a cereal bar, a chocolate croissant, fruit and juice carton).
As we were leaving, a thunderstorm was rolling in and it began to rain. There was very little shelter for the hundreds of people sat on the platforms and the track. A few had tents they could use but not much space to put them up. As we drove home, we passed another 150 people walking in groups up the side of a main highway in the dark, many carrying children. It is heart-breaking. There are no words for how we felt and we get to come home to our comfortable apartment with all our stuff and a safe, fed, happy sleeping little boy. If you can help and be some of those 'strangers' showing kindness, please do. We will make sure your money gets to the people who need it.
Thanks
Liz, Adam and Wilkie
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34014353
Organizer
Brittany Jade Price
Organizer
