Volunteering in Greece

Hi Friends and Family, 

As many of you know, I'm Keryn from Walking On Travels , based just outside of D.C. I’ve watched what is happening in Syria and across the Middle East for years. I’ve seen how Greece, a nation who has nothing to give, has opened her arms to those most in need- the innocent men, women and children who are most effected by this war.

21st Century Refugee Crisis
The crisis in Syria and across the Middle East has triggered the largest refugee crisis since WWII. Not many of us were part of WWII, at least not from my generation. Our parents might have fought in Vietnam and they saw the child refugees being brought to America, but it was nothing like the scale Europe is seeing as families flee violence in their hometowns.

Headed to Greece
In mid-March 2017 I will be boarding a plane with a group of other adults from my church, Restore Church , to work with Servant Group International at a Greek camp on the island of Lesvos. 

Restore Church has a long-term relationship with Servant Group International (SGI). This will be the third trip a group from our church has taken with SGI. We regularly email, call and Skype with the SGI team. We will also have two Skype meetings before our trip between the SGI team and the people traveling from my church to go over all details and make sure we are as prepared as we can be for the trip. 

Working in the camp
Full-time aid workers are stretched thin by the number of refugees escaping their homeland and arriving on the shores of Lesvos everyday. The camp has partnered with the U.N. and a number of NGOs to assist with aid work.

We will be working directly with volunteers from Servant Group International to do the every day tasks of running the camp, including:

·       Preparing/serving meals to 4,000 people
·       Organizing/distributing clothing
·       Running the tea tent
·       Playing with children
·       Teaching English (a huge benefit for resettlement)

It might also entail us receiving boats as they land on the shores and helping warm up wet refugees. These are simple, yet powerful ways to help refugee families cross the bridge from crisis to a new home. 
 
How can you help?
Not everyone has the time to take away from his or her family and jobs to volunteer. We all understand this and this is why I need your help. It is up to everyone of the volunteers going to Lesvos to raise their own funds that will cover:
• airfare
• lodging
• food
• supplies for the camp

Where the money will go and when: 
$1000  for airfare (booking on January 29 via Credit Card)
$1800 (check sent to Servant Group International on February 8 for lodging, food and supplies for refugees on the ground)
*EXTRA FUNDS: Not a dime, even if fundraising goes well and I raise more than I need,  goes into my pocket or the pockets of aid workers. All extra funds will go directly to Servant Group International to continue to support volunteers and supply needs in Greece throughout the year. 

Why this is so important
I can not tell you how imporant this mission is to me. I'm nervous about what I will see and the emotional impact this will have on me before, during and after this journey. 

The one thing I do know, is that I'm going because this is not about me. This about helping those who truly need our help right now and I hope you will join me. 

Thank you! 
Thank you for reading this and showing your support by donating anything you can give. Even the smallest amount can have a huge impact. 

Have questions? I'm happy to answer any questions you have!

Keryn