Helping refugees in Lesvos
Donation protected
I will volunteer in Lesvos, Greece for a little over two weeks in January/February 2016.
Your contributions to this campaign will go to directly helping refugees.
I plan to donate the money as goods directly purchased to benefit refugees on the island. The situation on the island is constantly changing, as are the needs of volunteer organizations. I want to make sure your donations can make the biggest impact, so I am waiting to make a definitive decision on the exact items that will be purchased. (I will post updates here and on Facebook detailing the exact items purchased once my date to leave approaches.)
The money will be going to purchase things like this: http://needs-now.org/
Why I want to help:
I was inspired to help when I read the stories of people fleeing terrorism in their home countries, and traveling to Greece just to stay alive. I knew I had to go when I read about the difficulty volunteers are facing when attempting to help these refugees, not only in Greece, but throughout Europe.
There are several volunteer groups in Lesvos, but there is no official organization guiding their efforts. The situation is constantly changing, but one constant that remains is that they always need help, both from volunteers physically present, and from donations.
I studied Arabic for 5 years in college, and I believe my knowledge of the language will be valuable in helping people feel welcome and comfortable while in the refugee camp.
I plan to do most of my work in the Moria, Mytilini or Kara Tepe refugee camps on Lesvos, as I believe that is where my Arabic skills will be most valuable. But I am hoping to be able to help in a variety of locations, from working directly on beaches, to sorting donated goods in warehouses.
You can help fund my trip:
On a personal note, I'll be funding my own trip to volunteer. If you'd like to donate to fund my trip you can send donations via paypal:
Cost Estimate:
Plane Ticket: $750
Hotel: $680 (hoping to share with other volunteers to cut cost)
Roundtrip Ferry Ticket: $100
Your contributions to this campaign will go to directly helping refugees.
I plan to donate the money as goods directly purchased to benefit refugees on the island. The situation on the island is constantly changing, as are the needs of volunteer organizations. I want to make sure your donations can make the biggest impact, so I am waiting to make a definitive decision on the exact items that will be purchased. (I will post updates here and on Facebook detailing the exact items purchased once my date to leave approaches.)
The money will be going to purchase things like this: http://needs-now.org/
Why I want to help:
I was inspired to help when I read the stories of people fleeing terrorism in their home countries, and traveling to Greece just to stay alive. I knew I had to go when I read about the difficulty volunteers are facing when attempting to help these refugees, not only in Greece, but throughout Europe.
There are several volunteer groups in Lesvos, but there is no official organization guiding their efforts. The situation is constantly changing, but one constant that remains is that they always need help, both from volunteers physically present, and from donations.
I studied Arabic for 5 years in college, and I believe my knowledge of the language will be valuable in helping people feel welcome and comfortable while in the refugee camp.
I plan to do most of my work in the Moria, Mytilini or Kara Tepe refugee camps on Lesvos, as I believe that is where my Arabic skills will be most valuable. But I am hoping to be able to help in a variety of locations, from working directly on beaches, to sorting donated goods in warehouses.
You can help fund my trip:
On a personal note, I'll be funding my own trip to volunteer. If you'd like to donate to fund my trip you can send donations via paypal:
Cost Estimate:
Plane Ticket: $750
Hotel: $680 (hoping to share with other volunteers to cut cost)
Roundtrip Ferry Ticket: $100
Organizer
Caron Creighton
Organizer
Berkeley, CA
