Hello, hello! I promise I have not forgotten about you all :). I have realized over the past 15 months of full time volunteer service, that being in the field day after day for extended periods of time eventually wears me down. It is in these moments that I start to slip up, writing less … More Bringing You Up To Date
As I sit on the shore line of Chios, the realities of the world run through my mind. The sound of the small waves reaching the shore of this Greek Island soothes my soul as I look across the Sea. My view is of the inhumane living conditions of over 500 refugees stranded on the … More The Realities of the World
We have spent the past days helping clean up one of the unofficial living sites on the island. We have been helping young guys heat up water for hot bucket showers, providing hygiene necessities, collecting trash, and sharing fresh clothing from the local warehouses. The days have been full of moments of pure joy, mixed … More The Intertwining of Highs and Lows
I have struggled to find my words since returning to Lesvos a few weeks ago. I apologize for the lack of communication, but hope most of you have seen the updates via facebook. I will do my best to share a brief overview of the past weeks with you now: Our first days on the island … More Long Overdue Update
We stood outside Moria Camp, home to 4,000 refugees who are trapped on the island. It has been awhile since I have experienced pure desperation quite like this. The needs on the mainland continue on a different level, but the needs here are needs for basic survival. We passed out rain jacket after rain jacket to people … More Pure Desperation
Walking through the camp this morning was a sweet, yet eery feeling. The train raced by as the few residents left scavenged through the deserted tents. The excitement in the camp is wiped away, as most of the children have been moved to the new temporary sites. The residents will be hosted in hotels until … More Time of Transition
Sunday was a good day. It was a welcomed change from the cold, muddy, gloomy atmosphere that is Serres Camp. The winter conditions are here. The weather has dropped below zero, the rain has begun, and the conditions in the camp have not improved. This made Sunday an even more meaningful day. The local soccer … More Sunday Was a Good Day
Being immersed in the suffering is such a complexity of sorrow and join, frustrations and blessings, injustices and compassion. Some days are full of heart opening experiences, while others leave me wanting to hide from the world around me. My first night back in the camp was one of those whirlwinds… I felt nothing but … More Deterioration Before My Eyes
As many of you know, I am hosting a book drive in order to create a library for the 500 Yazidis living in Serres Camp. I have attached the much requested wishlist with a small selection of both books and beauty products requested by the women in Serres. Our residents have survived a cruel genocide … More Books & Beauty
Today another Yazidi friend told me she and her infant will return to Iraq in the coming days. “I go Iraq. Baby go Iraq. Papa in Iraq. Money finish. Unan (Greece), no life.” My heart sinks each and every time I hear these words. All I could do this time was wrap her in my … More No Life…
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