The stories from Vial have been read in a number of cities in America and now they have crossed the Atlantic to Germany.  We have ‘Love without Borders’ to offer endless thanks for this achievement.

These stories are written from the heart and tell of why people left their homes and also what life is like in the camp.  These stories are precious and tell of hardship and hope.

I remember Fatima (not her real name) so well, I first met her in February 2019, she has a deep calmness, pride and composure which affects you and stays with you – I will never forget her.  She has travelled to Europe with her husband and children to seek safety and a future for her family.

I also vividly remember her daughter from an art workshop I held on camp in February.  I brought drawing materials, books and carrots and oranges for the children.  Yara is full of fun and energy, she sweeps you away with her charisma and sarcastic confidence.  She lets you know that she is in control, she will decide whether you are friends or not.

Speaking to me in English (she also speaks Greek very well) Yara has a smart, humorous outlook on life.  She draws many pictures on this bright, chilly day in February ..  but these are 2 she gave me to bring back to England.. one of a safe home.. and one showing carrots and oranges !! She wanted me to keep them – I have kept them safe.

When I returned to Vial in July – about 6 months after first meeting Yara .. I was surprised (and devastated) that she was still living in Vial.  She looked at me wide eyed – “I know you!” she exclaimed, “you brought us carrots and oranges”.  I told her I had kept her drawings, but her face told me that she had long forgotten these gifts.

When her mother, Fatima, agreed to take part in the Human Voice Project, I was honored.  Below is an extract from her transcript – I hope she is no longer in Vial as the camp has deteriorated even further – with more people – living in more tents and Greece is marching yet again towards winter.  I wish with all my heart that they are no longer in Vial, I pray that Fatima is in a place where she has found hope for herself and her children.

“The tents and camps have no hope for myself or for my children, as they are overcrowded with distressed refugees from all over the world. We have become like prisoners in a large prison surrounded with wires or a jungle where there is no law to protect you and survival only seems to be for the fittest.”  Fatima, Palestine, July 2019