There is so much going on here…it is hard for me to know where to begin. I find myself involved with so many people in the camp, refugees living on the streets in Athens and in everyday life.
A few nights ago, I even almost got myself arrested as I tried to stop a huge Greek police officer (they are as bad or worse here than other places) from beating the shit out of a small Pakistani man they were arresting. Okay…the man did not have papers…but was it necessary for the police to keep heavily pounding him in the face?? And the poor man, seeing me trying to stop the police brutality toward him, kept yelling out toward me… “Mamee…Mamee (mommy)”. Horrible…
I spent 11 hours yesterday in the Emergency Room with a Somali woman who had developed a severe case of what I believe is shingles. If any one has had it (like me), you know how very painful this viral infection is. See the picture below of the horrific blisters on her face and neck. From one ER for dermatology (7 hrs wait), they sent us to another ER for ENT (thinking the virus had spread into her ear). An all day affair with every doctor having a different opinion. God…I hope I don’t get sick here.
Also, I’ve been very involved helping a single Afghan mother who burned herself badly with hot boiling water (see picture of her leg). For both of these women, I purchased antibiotics, pain medications and topical ointments.
Giving away the iPhones and laptops that many of you donated to me. One laptop went to Bernard who I met two years ago (he remembered I bought him a sandwich on the street of Athens). Bernard works two days a week as a translator, then takes English and computer classes every day and after work…he speaks 4 languages fluently. He felt so blessed to have the laptop. They are like gold to people here. Thank you for them. (See pics below). Also, found and purchased a used laptop and small green table for my friend, Mr. Ahmin, the Nigerian blind amputee who lives in a camp 1 ½ hour outside of Athens. I visit him and have twice brought him food from a Nigerian restaurant in town which he loves.
I am meeting refugees and learning about the horrible way they treat them at the farms and outside establishments here in Greece. Like other places in the world, they are completely exploited as they must accept whatever is paid (or not paid to them) as the boss threatens to call the police and have them deported if they complain. One young 19 year old man from Congo worked for 4 weeks in the hot sun picking potatoes, only to be paid nothing as the boss kept taking out money for “expenses” (the rent of the room he shared with 32 other men, water, electricity in the room, etc.). He argued with the boss and the boss hit him with a club (see photo below). He sobbed and sobbed repeatedly saying “I have nothing, I have nothing”. I brought him into the clothing room I now manage in the camp (a small metal container with no ac) and listened and eventually gave him what he would have earned for those 4 weeks, making him promise to share it with others. He now writes to me every day still thanking me.
Lastly, I’ve been very involved with two young kids in the camp. They are Palestinian children whose mothers were killed in their country. They each live with their fathers who don’t seem to be very great at parenting. I’ve been bringing them art supplies, reading to them, brushing their hair, and just showing some motherly love that they so desperately need. (See photos below of the beautiful boy and girl).
And there is so much more to tell, but I know this is long enough. I wish I could say that I miss home and you all, but I honestly feel that my life is so much more full and fulfilling here. Maybe some of you understand.
Kisses…. Lexine
