The Refugee Relief Project
Donation protected
Every dollar this campaign receives will go directly to a refugee individual or family. We will not take any money for ourselves.
With no legal way of making a living, a small donation can make a world of difference to a refugee.
Let me explain...
Background
In early 2016, I received the Davis Projects for Peace Grant . I traveled with The Worldwide Tribe to refugee camps in France and Greece where I filmed a documentary and interacted with hundreds of refugees.
The stories I heard blew me away. I met an Afghan man whose son had been killed before his eyes, a Syrian woman who lost her husband and one of her five children on the treacherous boat ride from Turkey to Greece, an Iraqi man whose entire family had been killed by the Taliban.
An English lesson in the former 'Calais Jungle'
These people suffered unspeakable hardship, they escaped war, violence, and hate. And now most are treated like animals, either homeless on the street or are living in a camp.
Refugees living under a bridge in Athens, Greece
Systemic Challenges
A refugee stays in a camp for an average of 5 years. During that time, they are completely dependent on governments and NGOs to support them. Many countries have policies against refugees working so even though they want to provide a better life for themselves and their families, they can’t. These are people are kind, they will offer you a cup of tea even if its from the only cup they have. In their home countries they were doctors, lawyers, engineers, students. They have an incredible amount of agency, and yet they are stuck in a system that won’t allow them to escape.
Sharing their food in the former 'Calais Jungle'
I have seen how a small amount of money can make a huge difference. I spoke with a 20-year-old Iraqi woman who was six months pregnant. She was living under a bridge and could not afford baby clothes so she was planning to go back to Iraq. I met a young Iranian man who had not been able to talk to his mother for over three months because he could not pay for a phone call. I gave him my phone to call her and I wish I had filmed his reaction. He was so happy.
How You Can Help
I’m planning on taking another trip to refugee camps in Germany, Greece, and France. This time I will take something with me.
I’m raising $5,000 to put directly into the hands of refugee individuals and families.
I will have conversations with real people. I’ll ask them who they are, what their story is, and what they need.
It might be $180 to process their passport. It could be $50 for a train ticket to a family member across the country. Maybe it’s $20 for fresh vegetables or school books for their children.
Every dollar we spend will be accounted for publicly on my blog. We will share photos (of whoever is comfortable having their photo taken), what their story is, and what they need the money for. A filmmaker has volunteered to join us, so we will be filming a documentary to tell these stories and to document this process.
My team and I will be paying our own way; we will not be taking any of the money for ourselves. Every dollar you give will go directly to a refugee that desperately needs it.
When you donate you can write a comment and choose what you would prefer the money be used for. Some suggestions:
· Transportation
· Education Supplies
· Food
· Legal Fees
· Cell Phones
· Clothes
We will do our best to honor what you want to use the money for. If you don’t specify we will give your donation to someone who needs it.
To someone that has no way of making a living, anything helps.
A shelter that had been destroyed by one of the frequent fires in the former 'Calais Jungle'
Logistics
I will be traveling to refugee camps that I have contacts in in Germany, Greece, and France.
We will be withdrawing all of the money in local currency from banks in the countries the camps are in with the lowest exchange rate. We will soliciting the advice of the volunteers in the camps, and will be giving the money to refugee individuals or families we interact with.
Using the funds, we will either buy something requested by a refugee (like a cell phone, books, train tickets, or fresh vegetables) or give the money to the individuals directly.
About Us
Megan Majd studied human rights and environmental policy at UC Berkeley. As a student she ran advocacy campaigns, was elected to student government, and worked to reform the universities sexual assault policies. In the past two years, Megan has received the John Gardner Public Service Fellowship, the Generation Jobless Employment Innovation Grant, and the Davis Projects for Peace. She founded a marketing agency for social enterprises and nonprofits called Outlaww that she runs in San Francisco full-time.
Rose Massett is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned a degree in Film and Television production, with an emphasis on producing and entertainment business. She has worked with several non-profits including Operation Smile, where she traveled to India to volunteer on a medical mission. Driven by her passion to tell important stories, and her desire to inspire social change, she continues her love of film and television through writing, producing and directing distinctive content. Rose works at Sony Pictures Television in Los Angeles.
Previous Refugee Work
Tear gas cannisters used on the refugees in Calais
A message from Majnoun
Warming bread in the sun in Athens, Greece
The French police raiding the 'Jungle.' Read the story here.
"Mum I will never come back again. Forgive me mum" and "Education is = success"
Never give up dreaming for a better life
A child rides his bike through the Calais 'Jungle'
Thank you.
With no legal way of making a living, a small donation can make a world of difference to a refugee.
Let me explain...
Background
In early 2016, I received the Davis Projects for Peace Grant . I traveled with The Worldwide Tribe to refugee camps in France and Greece where I filmed a documentary and interacted with hundreds of refugees.
The stories I heard blew me away. I met an Afghan man whose son had been killed before his eyes, a Syrian woman who lost her husband and one of her five children on the treacherous boat ride from Turkey to Greece, an Iraqi man whose entire family had been killed by the Taliban.
An English lesson in the former 'Calais Jungle'These people suffered unspeakable hardship, they escaped war, violence, and hate. And now most are treated like animals, either homeless on the street or are living in a camp.
Refugees living under a bridge in Athens, GreeceSystemic Challenges
A refugee stays in a camp for an average of 5 years. During that time, they are completely dependent on governments and NGOs to support them. Many countries have policies against refugees working so even though they want to provide a better life for themselves and their families, they can’t. These are people are kind, they will offer you a cup of tea even if its from the only cup they have. In their home countries they were doctors, lawyers, engineers, students. They have an incredible amount of agency, and yet they are stuck in a system that won’t allow them to escape.
Sharing their food in the former 'Calais Jungle'I have seen how a small amount of money can make a huge difference. I spoke with a 20-year-old Iraqi woman who was six months pregnant. She was living under a bridge and could not afford baby clothes so she was planning to go back to Iraq. I met a young Iranian man who had not been able to talk to his mother for over three months because he could not pay for a phone call. I gave him my phone to call her and I wish I had filmed his reaction. He was so happy.
How You Can Help
I’m planning on taking another trip to refugee camps in Germany, Greece, and France. This time I will take something with me.
I’m raising $5,000 to put directly into the hands of refugee individuals and families.
I will have conversations with real people. I’ll ask them who they are, what their story is, and what they need.
It might be $180 to process their passport. It could be $50 for a train ticket to a family member across the country. Maybe it’s $20 for fresh vegetables or school books for their children.
Every dollar we spend will be accounted for publicly on my blog. We will share photos (of whoever is comfortable having their photo taken), what their story is, and what they need the money for. A filmmaker has volunteered to join us, so we will be filming a documentary to tell these stories and to document this process.
My team and I will be paying our own way; we will not be taking any of the money for ourselves. Every dollar you give will go directly to a refugee that desperately needs it.
When you donate you can write a comment and choose what you would prefer the money be used for. Some suggestions:
· Transportation
· Education Supplies
· Food
· Legal Fees
· Cell Phones
· Clothes
We will do our best to honor what you want to use the money for. If you don’t specify we will give your donation to someone who needs it.
To someone that has no way of making a living, anything helps.
A shelter that had been destroyed by one of the frequent fires in the former 'Calais Jungle'Logistics
I will be traveling to refugee camps that I have contacts in in Germany, Greece, and France.
We will be withdrawing all of the money in local currency from banks in the countries the camps are in with the lowest exchange rate. We will soliciting the advice of the volunteers in the camps, and will be giving the money to refugee individuals or families we interact with.
Using the funds, we will either buy something requested by a refugee (like a cell phone, books, train tickets, or fresh vegetables) or give the money to the individuals directly.
About Us
Megan Majd studied human rights and environmental policy at UC Berkeley. As a student she ran advocacy campaigns, was elected to student government, and worked to reform the universities sexual assault policies. In the past two years, Megan has received the John Gardner Public Service Fellowship, the Generation Jobless Employment Innovation Grant, and the Davis Projects for Peace. She founded a marketing agency for social enterprises and nonprofits called Outlaww that she runs in San Francisco full-time.
Rose Massett is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned a degree in Film and Television production, with an emphasis on producing and entertainment business. She has worked with several non-profits including Operation Smile, where she traveled to India to volunteer on a medical mission. Driven by her passion to tell important stories, and her desire to inspire social change, she continues her love of film and television through writing, producing and directing distinctive content. Rose works at Sony Pictures Television in Los Angeles.
Previous Refugee Work
Tear gas cannisters used on the refugees in CalaisA message from MajnounWarming bread in the sun in Athens, GreeceThe French police raiding the 'Jungle.' Read the story here. "Mum I will never come back again. Forgive me mum" and "Education is = success"Never give up dreaming for a better lifeA child rides his bike through the Calais 'Jungle'Thank you.
Organizer
Megan Majd
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
