Thank you!

Me : “I’m not sure what to do. I need to save some money, but I want to go back to work at the refugee camp…”

TG: “Why not start a fundraiser? It’s not like it’s for some backpacking trip, it’s for a good cause. I’m certain you would be able to raise the money.”

Me: “Yeah, but I’ve never asked for money before. I’ve always supported myself. I’m afraid.”

TG: “Well, I think it’s always best to do the things you are afraid to do. That’s how we grow.”

I had this conversation with one of my closest travel companions. After travelling together for almost a year throughout 10+ countries his encouragement and opinion means a lot to me.

I have been overwhelmed with the support in my endeavor to return to volunteer at Eidomeni Refugee Camp. Overwhelmed to the point of a new fear manifesting…expectations.

I’ll beat myself up, like most of us do from now and then, asking, “Will I really be able to make a difference? Will my presence be enough support? Will this amount of money I give to the volunteer groups in Thessaloniki be enough?”

As I have had to explain many times, the situation in Eidomeni, and in the majority of camps in Greece, focus on immediate relief and aid. The situation is changing every day, every hour…after criticism on this front of there not being a “long-term goal,” I have begun to stand more firmly in support of my friends who are volunteers and/or working with the NGOs there.

BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE ELSE.

Government presence is only in the form of police or military, and the EU-Turkey plan has already proven in some cases to completely disregard basic human rights.

“The volunteers are stepping in to fill the gaps.” (https://www.irinnews.org/feature/2016/03/21/good-samaritans-greece)

This all comes down to a big THANK YOU. Thank you for supporting me with your donations and messages. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow.

I’ll be back in Thessaloniki in just a week and here on the blog I will be posting updates.