Hello Friends,
I arrived Athens four days ago and have been busy every day in the camps and on the streets. There are many families and children on the street…many more than there were six months ago when I was here. I have heard from other volunteers that Afghan, Syrian, Iraqi, etc. families are being told they have to leave their small apartments (which were provided by the Greek UNHCR and Ministry Dept) to make room for Ukrainians who are now arriving. So sad. Is one human suffering more needy than another?
Inside Eleonas Camp, there are about half as many residents (now about 2200), and no one knows what will become of their future. They have been told that the camp will close the end of May, but have not been told where they will go or whether they will be given housing. Many without legal asylum papers (which have been impossible to get since no one answers the phone at the Asylum offices), have decided to flee to the borders on foot, taking their chances that they will make it across to Bosnia or Albania and further north in Europe. I am puttimg together emergency packets (see photos below), containing everything from water purification tablets, flashlights, bandaids, emergency sleeping bags to phone power banks. People have been so so appreciative. Yesterday, I assisted a Pakistani family of 7 who are leaving tomorrow on foot. They have been in Greece for 8 years (only 7 is required to establish legal residency), but have found the bureaucracy ignoring their pleas for their residency case to be heard and feel fleeing is a better option than prison.
Daily, I am back volunteering inside the camp with an NGO. I help teach English and run a clothing distribution room. Clothes are donated from other EU countries. Friday I opened one huge plastic bag of shoes, but there was about 40 shoes with only 1 shoe of each pair…crazy!! It was made up for with the next huge box of children’s clothes donated from Germany with wonderful clothes that the kids lined up to take.
In line outside the clothing room, one Syrian boy looked so sad, I had to take a few moments to talk with him outside. He told me he came alone at age 14 through Moria Camp (the camp I have previously volunteered at on Lesvos Island close to Turkey). He made it to Athens and was housed in a home for minors, but at 18 year old, he was put out on the street. He was crying as he had had his phone stolen, had no money and no way to stay in touch with his mother in Syria. I hugged him, gave him money for food and told him to come back to see me tomorrow, Monday, when I will return with a donated iPhone 8. He will be so pleased.
Mr. Ahmin, the 58 year old Nigerian man who is an amputee and going blind, has been moved to Schiztou Camp about 1 hour outside of Athens. I went to visit him (see photo below)and brought him groceries and a SIM card for his phone. I also brought cookies and treats for the camp social worker and manager who agreed to allow two other refugees (from Angola and Cameroon) live with and help Mr. Ahmin with his insulin, cleaning his room and cooking. They are not supposed to let these other refugees in as they have not received asylum but had a change of heart after I pleaded their cases. And Mr. Ahmin is absolutely delighted to have the help.
So, week one ends. So much to do here. Thank you all for so much help. Without you, none of this would be possible.
🙏🏼 Lexine
