Well another busy day in the clinic. It is pretty intense. All the medical NGOs are working hard as so many medical staff left due to the violence. Then the One Happy Family that housed the Doc Mobile clinic is closed due to the fire. Now, the Coronavirus scare and we are having discussions about [...]
We are caring for the unaccompanied minors and then camp emergencies. These kids are so heartbreaking. They are alone with no relatives, many still housed in the jungle, an unprotected area, because there is no room in the protected sections for them. We see them after fights, stabbings and just sick. They are all hungry [...]
Finally, a clinic day. And not too crazy for a first day. The clinic is urgent care, basically for emergencies but we also see the unaccompanied minors and do wound care. I did triage with Shayee with Zee translating, Debra did wound care. The day started out with a woman and her father who were attacked [...]
Today we went to the north end of the Island where the boats usually arrive from Turkey. We went to get life jackets from the life jacket graveyard to make the SOS Flowers, Key Chains and Scraps of Hope Cards. Lighthouse Rescue, an NGO that helps the refugees come ashore is still working there. Despite the [...]
The trip here went well. Flights were really good. We stayed in a lovely country house in Koropi, very close to the airport in Athens. The family was so kind, offering us free housing on our return because they support what we do. Their house was charming, with several greenhouses where they grow herbs. They also [...]
We leave for Greece tomorrow. Truly into the belly of the beast. It is beyond comprehension - the violence, the politics, the devastation. These refugees are suffering so much. We are going to deliver healthcare, a drop in an ocean of misery. We are being strong, not brave, we are scared. We vacillated for a [...]
This morning Charlotte, Alex, and I went to the Jungle and had tea and conversation with some of our friends. The hospitality was so sweet as we drank their very diluted tea. Then to visit the Ghana camp, deep inside the Jungle, where most of our translators live. They have made a cozy spot with chairs [...]
Our last clinic. From our end, time flew by. Many days, exhausted at the end, with tears flowing over evening wine. I would stay longer if I could. I have learned about perseverance, the extreme challenges to just survive, and I have deep admiration for these refugees. They have only hope to keep them going. [...]
Today is busy and chaotic. One more day, and we are all feeling sad to be leaving. We have had an amazing team of doctors, nurses, a massage therapist and great support personnel and THE BEST VOLUNTEER TRANSLATORS, SECURITY, AND LOGISTIC TEAM of REFUGEES. THANK YOU ALL. We are having dinner tonight with the whole team [...]
DISTRIBUTION DAY was a massive joint effort led by MSF (Doctors Without Borders) and R4R Refugee4Refugee) to distribute winter blankets, tarps and water jugs. The event was well organized but chaotic. Some of our team worked that site and some worked the warehouse. I worked in the distribution center for new arrivals.R4R provides a sleeping bag, [...]
