Woman's Space Nea Kavala Camp

 Having completed a TEFL course, I will be going to Northern Greece on October 15th, 2018 for five weeks to work with the “We Are Here”, a community centre in Nea Kavala Refugee Camp. I will be teaching English and working in the Women’s Space they have created to provide a safe space for the women of the camp to learn, relax and socialize.

The money will be spent on educational materials, expenses associated with the Women's Space, general buildings maintenance and repairs at the We Are Here spaces in the camp. Often spending can be reactive depending on the changing requirements. For example, I will be bringing thermals for the harsh winter months, while this summer funds were raised to buy fans when temperatures rose to 45C. My costs are minimal. My darling father, the indomitable Joseph Pisco, contributed by buying me the airline tickets. My accommodation and food come to 320 euro for the month, and I will be covering those costs and any incidentals myself.

For the last few years, I’ve been standing at a crossroads wondering what to do next. As I stood there I’ve become involved in local projects, political causes, and a more active activism than I could do when my daughters were small. It has been uplifting, life affirming and has led me to push through the stagnation and take my life in a different direction.

 Displaced persons have always struck a chord in my heart. I come from people who left their homeland to look for a better life, but my story is not one of forced displacement, but rather the privilege of choice. Getting to know people in The Lodge in Clonakilty, our local direct provision centre for asylum seekers, has highlighted the pressing crisis of displaced persons on our planet, campaigning to repeal the 8th has shown me the power of getting involved. Both made me want to put the skills I have to a higher use than writing another historical romance novel.

My life is blessed with hundreds of wonderful human beings. Over 700 of you are on Facebook. If you each contribute 10 euro, we can raise over €7000. If only half of you contribute we can raise €3500 immediately.

 I thank everyone who took the time to read this. It’s long but I hope it was worth it.