It is my second month of working with refugees in the camps in Greece that are the gateway for refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq, Sudan, Eritrea and many other countries. We do not see any Ukrainians as they are immediately given permission for asylum and can fly in (rather than come by unsafe rafts in the sea) securing housing, medical care, education and the right to work…special privileges unlike any other refugees fleeing their countries from war and persecution.
After 3 weeks in Athens, I decided to return to Lesvos as the center I was volunteering at on the island asked for my assistance since the island is being flooded with new refugees trying to enter Europe. Sadly, many do not make it…they drown coming over, and are caught by the Hellenic Coast Guard who frequently beat and rob them of their belongings (mobile phones, money), and tow them in rafts back to Turkish waters.
I’m including many photos in this update…
Rahemi, who 7 years ago entered Greece as an unaccompanied minor from Afghanistan. I have known him for 3 years. At 16, he was jailed by the Greek police, beaten and put on heavy anti-psychotic meds that seriously changed his personality. Now, at age 22, he finally received full asylum. In Greece, when refugees are given full asylum, they can no longer stay in the camp so I knew he would be thrown out of the camp and onto the street. I contacted another Afghan refugee now living in Austria, who agreed to accept and help Rahemi in his household. On May 15, I bought clothes, a suitcase, and a plane ticket for Rahemi and helped him negotiate getting to the airport and on his plane (he speaks no English).
In late May, I met with Global Brigade…a medical group in Athens and Thessaloniki that supports refugees with medical aid. They have an eye clinic and were happy to receive the 360 pairs of prescription eyeglasses that were donated to me. I also volunteered with Luz who gives optical care outside of the camps with the help of her traveling van and volunteers like myself.
The two centers that I am involved in… I teach English at WWBT, the women’s center in Lesvos, and I often help at Pareas, which is a center across the road from the refugee camp. Both provide a hot lunch, washing machines, showers, coffee/tea/juice and just a place for the spirit to share in community and music in a comfortable setting. Both are beautiful escapes from the ugly barren camp that offers no food, no hot water, and shared bathrooms. Above I am with a group of Palestinian men from Gaza who were dancing, and then at the women’s center.
Recently I have gotten involved with helping Myrsini, a local veterinarian on Lesvos who takes care of and spays the street dogs and cats. There are many stray animals on the Greek islands. She is an amazing woman.
And finally, as the refugee camp is located about 3 ½ miles from the main port town of Mytilene on Lesvos Island, I have been purchasing bus tickets (they are 1 euro each way…too much for refugees with barely any money for food). My friend Wayne gave me a generous contribution for the bus tickets and so far I’ve purchased 400 euros worth and will purchase more tomorrow. I am having other refugees inside the camp distribute them to the elderly, pregnant women, women with babies, and the disabled.
And, of course, I daily continue to purchase phones and Sim cards for refugees as these are their lifelines to their past (families, friends) as well as their future (lawyers, asylum status, medical appointments, etc.). Thank you to the Lantern Project and Clif Bar for their support in this.
Lexine Alpert