Support refugees in Greece

My sister Daphne (21) and I (Sophia, 19), raised on Patmos, Greece and currently living in The Netherlands, volunteered in a refugee camp this January on Leros for 3 weeks, which was a very intense experience. We met many people from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, these people came from war and oppression and were given a chance to build a new life in Europe. They typically stayed in the camp for 3 days up to a week until they got their refugee status, and could continue their journey legally. Then there were the Moroccans, the Algerians, the Iranese and a few Tunisians. These people are seeking a better life because back in their homecountry they do not have enough freedoms and/or the economical opportunities they need to build a normal life. As from the 19th of december 2015 these people were criminalised and upon their arrival in Europe treated as such. The same goes for non-Syrians now; the borders are closed and no one is allowed to pass anymore. On Leros they got stuck for many days, some over a month, and as Leros does not have a detention camp they were in the refugee camp among the other refugees. Naturally, we built friendships with these people as we shared so many days with them, friendships that were bound to end by the harsh arrestation that awaited them and took them to detention centers in mostly Athens and Korinthos where conditions are horrible. Most of these people are sent back to their countries now, through Turkey, some are still in Turkey. They have been in detention for a few weeks up to several months (some even for 6 months). Some of these people managed to escape Leros and other Greek islands before their arrestation and continue their trip with the constant fear of being caught. They walk from Athens to Serbia (if they're lucky). On their way are many obstacles, every border is a hell to get through. From Macedonia and further there are also many 'legal' refugees who are forced to walk this long journey. When they are stuck at borders as well as when they walk they often suffer because they do not have enough food and/or warm clothes. There are volunteers at the border with Macedonia who go up and down the path they take with cars to supply them with the necessities; food, water, blankets, clothes, torches (as they walk in the nighttime). *My next step is to go to the border of Greece with Macedonia at the end of February/ beginning of March and contribute to making their (criminalized and non-criminalized refugees) passage a bit more human.* There are very few people who manage to pass through, so now help is most needed at the border; where about 15,000 people are stuck in horrible conditions. 

Seeing I have limited financial means but much time on my hands, we decided to set up this funding campaign in order to reach out to some of you who might have the reverse; the desire to do something and some money to donate but no time to actually go out there. The money will be used solely for the acquirement of food, torches, blankets, clothes and anything else needed, to be given directly to the refugees; all will be purchased either in Greece or Macedonia. 

Last but not least, we would like to stress how from our direct experience, donating to bigger organisations often results in much waste of resources and energy due to the bureaucratic structures they function with, and all the non-direct, long routes obstacled by rules and regulations that the donations have to go through. On the other hand, donating to grass-root initiatives (or to someone you actually know) can prove the most effective way to avoid waste of your donations; also because small-scale, person-to-person contact usually leads to bigger knowledge about who needs what and when. And don't forget, even a little donation can make a big difference for one person in need! 

Thank you.



This is Walid, one of the first Algerians we became friends with. He started his journey (like many others) thinking he could pass into Europe, like his friends did who left a bit before him. Instead, he was handcuffed and taken by police on our 4th day on Leros, and thrown into the only prison cell of the island (with 6 beds and only two tiny fenced windows) with another 31 Algerians and Moroccans. They were sleeping on the floor and in the bathroom, not allowed outside and not given enough food.  We tried to give them food but the police did not let us. Finally, after two weeks, he and all the others were taken to Athens (handcuffed) and from there taken to the detention center in Examilion, Korinthos. Reports (from UNHCR, independent researchers and personal contact by phone with the detainees) about the conditions there confirm that there is no respect for human rights and police brutality is a daily reality.


Update 10-02-2016
I have now booked my flight for the 6th of March and already confirmed my stay with two different organisations(as I want to volunteer in as many as possible ways); one that aids refugees with essentials and anything else they need; and the other which cooks meals for all the refugees at the border (around 3,000 meals per day). The latter is an organisation that started on its own initiative and relies completely on donations. As I am staying for quite long (probably until June) I will have time to get to know the place and see where help is most needed to be able to decide where the donations will be most effective. I will keep you updated about this when I am there also (whenever I will have wifi).