We Were Once Strangers Too

Do not oppress the stranger. You yourselves experienced the soul of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23:9 (my translation) 

In July, 2016 I volunteered in Souda Refugee Camp on the Greek island of Chios where more than 1,000 refugees from the Middle East, Asia and Africa live in in deplorable, over-crowded conditions. Meals (vegan) are distributed only through the generosity of local and international volunteers.  The NGO I volunteered with was providing essential additional nutrition packs to pregnant, breastfeeding mothers and their infants. That NGO has since left Chios, where roughly 60% of the refugees are women and children. 

I AM RETURNING TO GREECE THIS DECEMBER AS AN INDEPENTDENT VOLUNTEER TO CONTINUE HELPING REFUGEES. Since my trip in July, I have connected with pro-bono advocacy attorneys, a team of independent volunteers, who through their own ingenuity and financial assistance of friends and family, are able to accomplish more  than through most organized NGOs, hear from refugees seeking help daily, and will also partner with local grassroots organizations on the ground.

Refugees in Greece are put in squalid camps or even worse, are homeless on the streets of Athens. Life-saving medicines and medical treatments are routinely denied. The EU, Greek government and NGOs on the ground have proven themselves incapable of providing the most basic of necessities nor the ability to uphold internationally accepted standards of human rights. Those providing help most quickly and effectively are independent volunteers who fill in the gaps.

100% of your funds donated to my personal campaign to help refugees in Greece, will be used to provide essential items such as blankets, tents for homeless, food, money for shelter, shoes, winter clothing, baby diapers and milk, and medicines.

I will once again be paying my own airfare, lodging and food expenses. I will be in Greece from late December through mid January. Sending funds well in advance of this upcoming trip will be a huge help as it takes time to access the funds while in the EU.

PLEASE HELP with a donation of any amount. Every contribution helps. PLEASE SHARE with your networks on social media.

I will be posting regular updates on the refugee situation and my own trip here and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackiementer

Thank you! 
شكرا
 תודה רבה לך
Merci 
Ευχαριστώ