March 6: Refugee boats are still coming ashore
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 patrolling of Greek and [...]
March 5: A Calm Beginning . . .
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 have sheep in their [...]
March 2: Compassion is the winner
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 few days about going [...]
Jan 30: But i know that anywhere is safer than here . . .
Homeno one leaves home unlesshome is the mouth of a sharkyou only run for the borderwhen you see the whole city running as wellyour neighbors running faster than youbreath bloody in their throatsthe boy you went to school withwho kissed you dizzy behind the old tin factoryis holding a gun bigger than his bodyyou only leave homewhen home won’t let [...]
Jan 29: We walked past lines of people who happened to be born in a different country than myself.
Today was day 5 in Matamoros. Courtnay arrived! Our Hands on Global team is all here, and so excited to be partnering with Global Response Management. Hands on Global facilitated our members to be here, and donated much needed medications, supplies, toys for the kiddos, and an open-sided replacement tent to shield from the sun and rain in our clinic [...]
Jan 28: The mobilization and organization that is required to run a camp like this one is staggering.
Today was day 4 in Matamoros. Lauren is here! Our Hands on Global team grew to two! Busy clinic day, our gynecologist was in and saw many women, both pregnant and trying not to be. A delegation from the UN High Council for Refugees is here, doing a camp survey and also met with us to do some training and [...]