Refugee Crisis - Lesvos, Greece
Donation protected
"Soaking wet and freezing cold, this boy was given dry clothes, an emergency blanket and electrolytes for rehyrdration. But little could be done to undo the trauma he experienced - a trauma so visible from his expression".
- Shaan R. Ali Photography at Lesvos, Greece.
Hi, My name is Katherine Hynes and I live in Sydney, Australia.
Every day, thousands of refugees, fleeing war and persecution, are arriving on the shores of Lesvos, Greece. Jammed packed into water logged boats, and tightly gripping their children, they risk their lives making the short but often trecherous journey across the strait from Turkey. Some die, but it's a chance they're willing to take. They say that staying would mean certain death.
My husband Ian and I want to help. With our two teenage children, we're self-funding a trip to Lesvos in January 2016 to work alongside The Starfish Foundation. This local grassroots NGO was founded by Australian born Melinda McRostie . When refugees started arriving on the island and walking past her restaurant, she offered them food, dry clothes and a place to rest. The foundation is now responsible for the two main Arrival Transit Camps where local and international donors and volunteers feed, clothe, provide emergency assistance, and arrange transport to the main refugee camps - 24/7. Volunteers are often told by those they help, that they're the first people to show them kindness since leaving their homelands.
Please help us buy food, drinks, emergency blankets and other essential items and services for the arriving refugees by donating to this campaign. The more money we raise, the more people we can help (on 8/11/15 approxiamately 7000 people arrived).
My promise to you:
* I will buy the items locally and deliver them personally to those distributing to refugees (buying locally also supports the struggling Greek economy).
* I will not be using your funds for my family's personal expenses. Our trip is completely self-funded.
* I will post updates to show you how your money is being spent.
* Funds received after our trip to Lesvos will be donated to The Starfish Foundation.
How you can help:
* DONATE NOW. No donation is too small (a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter can feed several families in emergency situations).
* SHARE this campaign through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.
* EMAIL the link to family and friends.
* ORGANISE your business, employer, sports team, church or group to make a joint donation.
* CONSIDER donating in a loved one's name for Christmas or for their birthday, instead of giving them a present they may not need or really want.
* TALK about this campaign and other campaigns like it to create awareness and aid for the world's greatest refugee crisis since WW11.
* SUBSCRIBE to updates at the bottom of this page.
Many of you reading this do not know me personally so can't attest to my honesty, yet... you are still willing to donate. I sincerely thank you for your trust and generosity. Asking for help does not come naturally to me, but I realise my family can make a greater contribution during our time on Lesvos with your support.
With sincere gratitude,
- Katherine Hynes
.......................................................................................................................
ABOUT ME: I live in Sydney, Australia with my husband Ian and two teenage children. I work in the entertainment and media industry and am interested in the environment and human rights. I volunteer at The Asylum Seekers Centre where I meet some pretty incredible people. Watching and reading about the refugee crisis is heartbreaking, and I feel great despair at the world leaders' inability to work together for a solution. Both my husband and I have a burning desire to 'go help'. That feeling isn't going away, so we're doing it.
www.katherinehynes.com
Katherine Hynes on Facebook
- Shaan R. Ali Photography at Lesvos, Greece.
Hi, My name is Katherine Hynes and I live in Sydney, Australia.
Every day, thousands of refugees, fleeing war and persecution, are arriving on the shores of Lesvos, Greece. Jammed packed into water logged boats, and tightly gripping their children, they risk their lives making the short but often trecherous journey across the strait from Turkey. Some die, but it's a chance they're willing to take. They say that staying would mean certain death.
My husband Ian and I want to help. With our two teenage children, we're self-funding a trip to Lesvos in January 2016 to work alongside The Starfish Foundation. This local grassroots NGO was founded by Australian born Melinda McRostie . When refugees started arriving on the island and walking past her restaurant, she offered them food, dry clothes and a place to rest. The foundation is now responsible for the two main Arrival Transit Camps where local and international donors and volunteers feed, clothe, provide emergency assistance, and arrange transport to the main refugee camps - 24/7. Volunteers are often told by those they help, that they're the first people to show them kindness since leaving their homelands.
Please help us buy food, drinks, emergency blankets and other essential items and services for the arriving refugees by donating to this campaign. The more money we raise, the more people we can help (on 8/11/15 approxiamately 7000 people arrived).
My promise to you:
* I will buy the items locally and deliver them personally to those distributing to refugees (buying locally also supports the struggling Greek economy).
* I will not be using your funds for my family's personal expenses. Our trip is completely self-funded.
* I will post updates to show you how your money is being spent.
* Funds received after our trip to Lesvos will be donated to The Starfish Foundation.
How you can help:
* DONATE NOW. No donation is too small (a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter can feed several families in emergency situations).
* SHARE this campaign through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.
* EMAIL the link to family and friends.
* ORGANISE your business, employer, sports team, church or group to make a joint donation.
* CONSIDER donating in a loved one's name for Christmas or for their birthday, instead of giving them a present they may not need or really want.
* TALK about this campaign and other campaigns like it to create awareness and aid for the world's greatest refugee crisis since WW11.
* SUBSCRIBE to updates at the bottom of this page.
Many of you reading this do not know me personally so can't attest to my honesty, yet... you are still willing to donate. I sincerely thank you for your trust and generosity. Asking for help does not come naturally to me, but I realise my family can make a greater contribution during our time on Lesvos with your support.
With sincere gratitude,
- Katherine Hynes
.......................................................................................................................
ABOUT ME: I live in Sydney, Australia with my husband Ian and two teenage children. I work in the entertainment and media industry and am interested in the environment and human rights. I volunteer at The Asylum Seekers Centre where I meet some pretty incredible people. Watching and reading about the refugee crisis is heartbreaking, and I feel great despair at the world leaders' inability to work together for a solution. Both my husband and I have a burning desire to 'go help'. That feeling isn't going away, so we're doing it.
www.katherinehynes.com
Katherine Hynes on Facebook
Organizer
Katherine Hynes
Organizer
Newtown NSW
