The majority of Sudanese who come, cross the Mediterranean Sea coming from Libya. Sudan’s civil war has forced over 14 million people to flee. Many are taking the life threatening journey across the Mediterranean to Europe, with little more than their plastic sandals and clothes on their backs. Unlike other refugees, they come from nothing and arrive with nothing…except memories of murdered family members and signs of torture on their bodies. They arrive, are registered in the camps, but are often given no bed, mattress, bedding, blankets, toiletries. And because they are arriving from their country (warm climate year round), they are not prepared for the much colder weather in Greece. They need shoes as their plastic sandals are not sufficient and usually long worn out. They need long pants and sweaters, coats. Every day I’m going to second hand stores to buy sweatshirts and warm clothing and have become friends with a couple of shop owners who sell me bulk shoes for €8 to €10 each.
