Donation protected
In 2016, the news was full of stories about the refugee crises in Europe and Hannah signed us up to work with an organisation called Samos Volunteers in a Greek refugee camp for a couple of weeks on our travels. What was supposed to be a 3 week experience quickly turned into 6 of the most awe-inspiring but heart-breaking weeks of my life.
Fast forward to 2021 and there are now more asylum seekers in the detention centre we worked in than there was at the height of the news reporting back in 2016. The world has moved on but there are some unbelievable people still working for Samos Volunteers and making an immeasurable difference to some of the most vulnerable people.
COVID gave us a small window into the daily struggles of displaced people. I have heard over and over again that the hardest part about COVID is the not knowing. Not knowing when restrictions are going to change or when we will be able to see friends and family in different states or countries again. These are valid concerns but only one of the realities of displaced people who, more often than not, aren't even granted refugee status for multiple years so aren't able to leave the desolate camp they are confined to.
6 weeks was enough to break me and I don't think I will ever properly reconcile my experiences on Samos but I know first hand, the positive impact the work done by the amazing people at Samos Volunteers can have on the mental health of the vulnerable people they work with.
I could go on and on and I'm more than happy to chat to anyone about my experiences if you're interested but for now I will get on to the purpose of my fundraiser.
I will be shaving my head at the end of March and I hope to raise as much money as possible for this organisation that I believe whole-heartedly in. This is a grassroots organisation and the money raised goes directly to the cause. Any amount of money that you can donate will be greatly appreciated.
You can find out more about Samos Volunteers here: https://www.samosvolunteers.org/
Fast forward to 2021 and there are now more asylum seekers in the detention centre we worked in than there was at the height of the news reporting back in 2016. The world has moved on but there are some unbelievable people still working for Samos Volunteers and making an immeasurable difference to some of the most vulnerable people.
COVID gave us a small window into the daily struggles of displaced people. I have heard over and over again that the hardest part about COVID is the not knowing. Not knowing when restrictions are going to change or when we will be able to see friends and family in different states or countries again. These are valid concerns but only one of the realities of displaced people who, more often than not, aren't even granted refugee status for multiple years so aren't able to leave the desolate camp they are confined to.
6 weeks was enough to break me and I don't think I will ever properly reconcile my experiences on Samos but I know first hand, the positive impact the work done by the amazing people at Samos Volunteers can have on the mental health of the vulnerable people they work with.
I could go on and on and I'm more than happy to chat to anyone about my experiences if you're interested but for now I will get on to the purpose of my fundraiser.
I will be shaving my head at the end of March and I hope to raise as much money as possible for this organisation that I believe whole-heartedly in. This is a grassroots organisation and the money raised goes directly to the cause. Any amount of money that you can donate will be greatly appreciated.
You can find out more about Samos Volunteers here: https://www.samosvolunteers.org/
Organizer
Josh Lleb
Organizer
Nudgee, QLD