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I have now been back in Australia for three weeks. I was inspired by a dear friend to continue writing and getting my thoughts and feelings out as the trauma of what I experienced and the memories come flooding back.

In first two weeks, I spent time reconnecting with loved ones, sharing stories with close friends and checking in with myself: how was I feeling? How did four weeks of volunteering on the front line of the refugee crisis affect me? And the overarching question: how quickly can I get back there?

As I wrote in previous entries and updates, I formed such close bonds with those I worked with. I formed bonds to the work and its rhythms. Disconnecting from those allowed me the important space to reconnect to my ‘normal’ life and those few who supported me endlessly while over there. But that process was painful, nonetheless.

I would wake up every two hours in a sweat for the first few days after leaving Lesvos. I would not know where I was, how I got there, and would stress, knowing that those relying on me were being let down. It would take me a full minute (which doesn’t seem like long but, when you’re totally in the dark, literally and emotionally, is a f***ing long time) to place myself, and in a panic, figure out where I was and what was going on. With the support my big brother, and my partner and family back home, I’ve come along way now.

So. Back home. Rested, recuperated. What now?

I also had to finish up a 6,000 word essay on the UNHCR and international refugee law. It was scathing and I doubt I will get a decent mark, but I couldn’t refrain from writing about the massive holes in international law – gaps that thousands of families fall through every day. Nonetheless, essay done and dusted.

My plans are to return to Lesvos as early as possible – at this stage its looking like it will be mid December. The situation on the ground is only worsening, as predicted, as the weather gets colder and colder.

Some word from the Starfish crew:

“Last night, a man and his baby daughter were lost at sea.
This morning, we lost the life of a young child who had been in the water for too long. 236 people were brought into the harbour after the coastguard rescued them off sinking vessels this morning.

In the late afternoon, a boat capsized that was carrying many many refugees. Figures are unsure, but we estimate that there were about 300 people on the boat. They were in the water for five hours before they could be rescued. People rescued from another two capsized boats soon followed. At least 10 children required urgent medical attention upon arriving in the harbour, the hospital in Mytilini is taking care of many children at the moment. Some people were brought to neighbouring town Petra, another large group came into Molyvos. Many people remain missing, many fathers, mothers, and children are missing.

The Starfish team and many many locals from Molyvos rushed to give out clothes, food and tea, doctors from the Hellenic Red Cross, Salam Cultural Museum, WAHA, and theStichting Bootvluchteling worked together to provide medical services, translators of Islamic Relief Canada came in to help out and staff of UNHCR and IRC came in to provide assistance to vulnerable cases and children left without family.

Whatever we do however, we cannot make up for the loss that this accident has brought. We are loosing precious lives, and fear what will come in the following months.”

This paints a clear enough picture, I need not elaborate.

With respect to the Go Fund Me campaign and funds raised. I have spent just under EUR4000, which is just over about AUD$6,100. This was spent on food, water, emergency blankets and supporting immediate relief for boat arrivals. I will be taking the remaining donations back with me, in a secure account, which I can then use to withdraw in cash and distribute directly to the most hard-hitting organisations.

I will be getting formal outlines of how the money will be spent by the Starfish Foundation (coordinating the NGOs around Molyvos, the transit camp and also helping out in Mytilene) and Eric and Philippa Kempson (coordinating the NGOs that physically help with boat arrivals). All my research and surveying has led to the conclusion that these two organisations, most in need, are able to do the most with funds, and I will be allocating it, through them, for immediate relief. I will post outlines and breakdowns of all expenses as rolling updates once back on Lesvos.

Thank you for your continued support.

I would like to take this opportunity to also thank Ronja Moss, my partner, and CASD Australia (through Rick Chong and Marjorie Hau) for organising a fundraiser held while I was still in Lesvos. Together, with your support, the event raised AUD$3,654.80. This total is not included in the Go Fund Me total listed here. Thank you to everyone who played music, made art, pitched in by helping on the night, and My Handlebar for hosting the night and providing a venue free of charge.

A week after being back, some friends from the Castle Crew – Chase White, Jess Dales, Hannah Ryder, Daisy Katy and a few others – organised an open house fundraiser, with music and food – all money raised was also contributed to the campaign. People power. A huge thank you to everyone who came and supported the event and showed that each individual can make a massive difference by engaging, caring, showing up and being present. The Castle Fundraiser raised $1,210.45.

Upon returning, I plan on continuing my work alongside the Starfish Foundation, helping to manage the Oxy Transit Camp, helping with all operations in the north, taking photos and sharing stories. I will be self-funding, and am hoping to have some help on this front by Islamic Relief Australia. I plan on staying in Lesvos for 4-5 months.

Of course, I will continue updating you. You, who have taken the time to read through this long post. You, who continue supporting the cause – whether it be with your thoughts, well wishes, money, time or a combination of all of these.

Even though our collective attention span for any crisis and disaster is short, so many out there are still engaged and still caring… and this blows me away.

I cannot express to you the scale of my gratitude - on behalf of those arriving on the shores of Lesvos, thank you.

 

 

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Today we moved 1, 220 people. People who arrived to Lesvos within the last 24 hours. We moved them, by bus, to Mytilene. This is a massive success. One week ago, these people were walking the ~65km journey for processing and registration.

And today we gave them some little respite on their long journey.

We worked 18 hours, non-stop. Organising the sick, the women and children first, and then the men. We evolved our processes as we went. Yep, we aren’t professionals. Yep, we haven’t done this (moving refugees) since WWII. But we did what we could. We all do what we can.

And today, it felt like we moved mountains.

One week ago, everyone had to walk from here, and today, we gave them a lift. We had 20 buses of which the International Rescue Committee paid for 12, the UNHCR: 7, and another by the local port police.

Today we moved 1, 220 people. Today we made one drop of difference in an ocean. But every great ocean is made up of but one drop.

Tomorrow, we will not do the same. Tomorrow, we will do more.

Thank you for your continued support! Over $15,000 in just over 10 days. I am speechless. The money is all being directly funnelled through the on-the-ground volunteers here for continued purchases of water and emergency blankets, which are most in need at the moment.

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Thank you everyone for your continued support. I was meant to leave here on Wednesday 9 September, but have decided to extend my work on the ground until early October.

The storage house here in Molyvos is in a constant state of flux.

Money comes in. Supplies are purchased. Money is depleted. The house is stocked and organised. Boats arrive. Suitcases of dry clothes, nappies, emergency blankets and towels are packed. The suitcases are taken to the beach. The storage house is empty. The day ends. Money comes in.

Your contributions are imperative in bringing some sense of order to the chaos in providing much needed funds to help keep the supply lines open.

The needs change on a day to day basis - sometimes we have boat loads of children - nappies deplete. Sometimes, the boats are at sinking point when they arrive - emergency blankets deplete.

I have been carefully recording all funds spent so far and allocating them on a needs basis, prioritising children, then women, then the elderly and then men.

Spirits are high. Then they are low.

But always, there is gratitude from the refugees for the support they are provided. As but a conduit, I convey this gratitude onwards to you.

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“Thank you But I Dont
want stay here I want go
I want freedom
We are suffering here”

As tension escalates, the air in Mytilene is thick with cries of “Athena” and “We Want Go!”

These images were captured within the last 30 minutes at the Mytilene port in Lesvos. The registration process is slow going, but authorities are doing all they can to get as many refugees on board ships bound for Athens. But thousands more arrive. Thousands more wait. Thousands more suffer.

Clashes between refugees and port authorities are inevitable - one man was knocked unconscious - as both parties vent their frustrations with a world that seemingly has turned its back on them.

The depth of understanding, patience and tolerance however is astounding. Refugees who are beaten expressed to me that they know the police too are struggling to keep afloat. They know that the authorities are not their enemy.

No, for them their enemy is apathy.

You continued support is proof that this apathy is being actively and expressly combated. I am humbled by your contributions - thank you.

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Update #5:

Myself and two other volunteers from Denmark watched the sunrise as we waited for the early boats this morning.

Before long, we were at it. Greeting the boats is a two-fold process. The boats themselves are rubber floats, with a small 50hp engine. They are usually crammed with 45-60 people. Refugees. Not migrants.

First, we help the people onshore. The beach is rocky, with a sloping gradient, but getting sick, tired and often injured refugees off them, when they're already wet and close to hypothermia is not as easy as it sounds.

Second, once onshore we attend to the children first, getting them out of wet clothes and into emergency blankets. After receiving 8 boats (so approximately 400-500 people), we had run out of towels and emergency blankets.

The only way to keep the trembling, blue-lipped children from further peril was to hold them. The physical transfer of heat from one body to another. From but one human's heartbeat, to another's.

And this is what moved me most today, and this is what I would like to update you with. I have allocated a portion of the funds raised so far - and thank you again! - for the purchase of emergency blankets, which are integral. They are usually expensive - between $1 and $1.50 each. Bear in mind, we had approximately 500 arrivals from one beach alone today - of which maybe 20% are children.

This is one necessity at the moment, as supplies are running low, waters are getting colder, and they cannot be purchased easily.

Please continue to support this every-growing crisis.

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I literally just captured this image. Within the last 15 minutes, a boat just arrived in the Molyvos harbour in North Lesvos.

It is now 1250am. Father and child were soaking wet after their boat capsized. They are now being processed by the customs and soon (in fact: now - at time of publishing), volunteers will be giving them more emergency blankets, water and dry clothes. Father and child are but two of a boatload of 44 refugees. This boat is approximately the 22nd today, and the night is young. You do the maths... (in fact at time of publishing, another boat just arrived).

The organisation and coordination of volunteers from all over the world (but mainly Denmark!) has been breath-taking. A local restaurant owner, Melinda (an Australian), has organised wholesale, bulk purchases of water, fruit, blankets and is coordinating international donations at a house locally in Molyvos.

The money raised so far has been largely spent in Mytilene, but now, in the north where boats are arriving, I will be liaising with Melinda to allocate funds and distribute all contributions for the supply of water, fruit and more blankets given the fast approaching colder months, with her. She buys wholesale, but also from local supermarkets thereby supporting the local economy. In turn, the vast majority of locals are onside, with welcoming and accepting hearts, supporting their fellow humans.

As you have been.

In just a few days, we have raised nearly $5,500..!

And again, I thank you.

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I have taken many photos and will share them in the days to come. For now, here is a friend Samiuollah helping to distribute the food purchased with YOUR donations to other Afghani and Syrian refugees in Mytilene, Lesvos.

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Update # 3:

Arrived as the sun rose and the heat began. Hired a car and drove straight to Mytilene from the airport. Drove past a small park, filled to the brim with Afghani refugees. Walking through, already I sensed a resilience I was not expecting. Amidst the harsh conditions, women smiled, children played in sprinklers as respite from the 35 degree direct heat, and men watched on.

I met a name named Ahmed from Syria, who was studying to be a mechanical engineer in Dara’a before ISIS came through and beheaded all of his friends. He fled to Turkey, but was caught and taken back to Syria. Upon return he was questioned by authorities and presumed to be smuggling Kalashnikovs from Turkey back into Syria. He was beaten and starved, but managed to get out again and make his way to Lesvos. He leaves tomorrow for Athens.

I met a group of young Hazara Afghani men, and while talking to them, another rushed up speaking quickly in Farsi. The translation: his mother was in incredible pain and needed to get to a hospital. She had fallen off a horse 4 days earlier in Turkey, as they climbed the rocky mountain ranges near the coast. The horse then fell upon her. The hospital was over 10 kms away. I offered to drive her. I soon found out that the son had carried his mother for the remaining 6 hours on his back through the range before getting to Lesvos. I had to do what I could to get them some respite. Getting out of the camp proved difficult, I was stopped by police who wanted to know what I was doing. I knew that a woman had, weeks earlier, been arrested for ‘human trafficking’ because she helped to drive refugees some parts of the 65 kilometre walk from Molyvos to Mytilene. I remained calm, let them shout down at me, and we were soon on our way.

After the hospital, and now quite familiar with my new Afghani brother, I co-opted them to help me distribute food. It was now late afternoon and if I was sensing the dehydration, I could only imagine what those without any water all day were going through.

Together, they helped me carry the 47 bananas, 36 apples, 36 pears, 150 packets of biscuits, 4 loaves of bread, 18 peaches and 42 bottles of water through the makeshift camp in the Mytilene park. All of these supplies only cost Euro154.

Which brings me to the power of each and every dollar.

Thank you all for your generosity, please keep it coming.

In the evening, I made my way to Molyvos, in the north of the island. Here, boat after boat of arrival meant that volunteers on the ground were overrun. We spent the night handing out dry clothes, blankets, and welcoming mothers with blue-lipped children.

We warmed them as best we could and I hid my tears.

The volunteers here are organised by Melinda, who has a storage house filled with supplies donated from around the world. They are doing direct, grass-roots and very, very tangible relief work for new arrivals. An important step in giving those fleeing persecution but a moment’s rest on their journey.

My contact details in Greece: +30 698 8551758. Thank you, everyone.

Your thoughts, and well-wishes are felt and very much needed.

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Update #2:

In just 24 hours, together we have raised over $3,000!

The generosity, compassion and commitment that you have shown thus far humbles me, as I prepare for my flight. Thank you.

I will be arriving in Mytilene early tomorrow morning and renting a car (I paid for the rental and my flights before setting up this campaign - $0 of these funds will reimburse my own costs).

My plan is then to drive to the north of Lesvos and connect with locals who currently spend all day on the beach, welcoming new arrivals.

One such man is Eric Kempson. If you would like to see a video of an arrival he posted to YouTube three days ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFA0rYj5wEA

There is also a Facebook group established for the refugees which details specific needs. I have been in touch with an organiser, Eleni, and am also planning to liaise with their efforts. Here is their link: https://www.facebook.com/HelpForRefugeesInMolyvos

Thank you for sharing this campaign, for giving so generously and for being physical proof of the power of the collective.

 

 

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Update #1:

What a response! In just 14 hours, together we have pooled $1,205! If you needed any more proof of the power of the collective, look no further.

Once again, I'd like to make it clear that ALL donations will be going directly towards basic necessities or infrastructure. I shall be covering 100% of my own costs.

Please let me convey my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed - not only in a monetary sense, but also by sharing the campaign, by informing one another on what is happening, and by sending your well-wishes / prayers / thoughts for those in strife.