Author: emma3kidz

Only 10 days to go till I travel to Idomeni and my 7 year old asks if he can come … ?

As the days creep towards 20 April when I arrive at the Macedonian/Greek border, my emotions are a mixed bag of which I find increasingly hard to explain.  I just know in my heart that I am doing the right thing, for me, my family and the few refugees I may be able help to make their life a little more bearable.

Today, Alexander (my youngest son of 7 years old) and I spent a couple of hours writing cards.  Each card is decorated and has Arabic writing (OK – I did my best!!),  Arabic and Farsi good wishes plus a dove of peace and some golden patterns.

During our card writing – Alexander looks at me and says “can I come with you mummy? Daddy will be OK staying here with Joseph and Ben”.  The words started to come out my mouth .. “No hun, it is not a place for children”….

I only got as far as .. “No hun….”.  I thought of the thousands of children trapped at the Macedonian border, or in detention camps (prisons) across Europe, its hard to fathom how this can be allowed to happen in Europe.  I corrected myself internally and answered “no hun, …….mummy will be working all the time”.

I am not a politician and I don’t feel I have a voice loud enough – even in our democracy – we are not heard.  I have written press articles, been interviewed on local radio, contacted MPs , written blogs/facebook and twitter updates – even got approx 2 min on Question Time – but my voice/ our voices are lost in the wind and this humanitarian disaster continues to unfold.

This is why I am writing cards from all my kind hearted donors, to show that we do care – that we are not the cold hearted, self interested humans portrayed by our Government.

Many may say – “a few cards, a few hundred quid, 9 days of help – what good will that do?”.  The truth is – I just don’t know what good it will do.  However, I do know that if we – do nothing, say nothing whilst we have the means to do something and the voice to say something then we will not change anything.

As well as much needed funds that my donors have provided, they have provided so much more. By donating, they are making a stand, standing in solidarity and for this I am very grateful.

Card from donor

envelope

well wishes from donor

Painting – all proceeds of sale to help refugees in Idomeni, ends 15 April 2016

As part of the initiative ‘Art for Our Sake’, local artist Tim Durham has donated a painting of the Harborough Grammar school .. All bids to be in by 15 April 2015 – email .. harboroughpaintingbid@gmail.com to bid for this unique original painting.

All proceeds of sale to go to help refugees trapped at the Macedonian border

Article in the Harborough Mail;

http://www.harboroughmail.co.uk/news/harborough-mum-is-going-back-to-greece-to-help-refugees-1-7317480

gofund.me/2hu2768k

Yes.. it’s a strange mixture of items to request.  But, in Idomeni on the Greek/Macedonian border, these things are in short supply.  Please let me know if you have any of these items you can donate for me to take over to Idomeni.  I will be carrying them in a suitcase so space is a premium  – but these items are so needed – I will let you know when I am full.

I travel in only 3 weeks .. I have no idea what to expect, or what will be expected of me. However, what I do know is that so many people need help, and so many long-term volunteers are worn out.   I have energy, compassion and limited resources – all these things are needed so the decision to make the journey is the definitely the right one.

You can donate via my go fund me site at: gofund.me/2hu2768k or PM me regarding; trainers, waterproofs, electrical cable ties.  Thank you Emma XX

Donate funds to help people stranded in Idomeni:  gofund.me/2hu2768k

Surely it cant be real, can it? How could civilised countries let this happen, slam the door on thousands of families.  Have they learnt nothing from history?  Have we learnt nothing from history.. ?

My trip to Idomeni is pretty much planned, I am flying out on 20 April and returning on 29 April .. I  have hired a small car and will be staying just over the border in a Motel in Macedonia – working with Northern Lights Aid at least for the first 5 days.

As with Lesvos I am self funding – trickier this time as I am without a regular wage,having left my job in December.  However I have been doing some free lance work which has helped to fund this trip.

My husband Phil, he is very supportive and this is totally a joint effort.  I need the support of Phil and my kids, without it I am not sure how I could do it.

We raised over £4K to help the people travelling through Lesvos and .. wow .. it did so much good – an earlier blog details how all the money was spent. I am not sure I can raise quite so much this time – £4K is a massive amount – but anything is better than nothing.

I don’t know how to solve this humanitarian crisis, but I do know that when people work together with passion and a common goal they can do amazing things ..When they work against each other, like the EU/Turkey, they travel in circles, waste time, energy, money and put peoples lives and futures at risk. This cant go on .. Keep Hope ..  One Love X

If you want to donate my ‘go fund me site’ is;  gofund.me/2hu2768k

My family and I are in the process of planning a trip (for me only though) to Idomeni .. I know our help is a drop on the ocean .. but every bit helps .. watch this space ..

Everybody Knows it deep down ..  but few want to feel it .. i know its hard (every day gets harder) and it hurts to think and feel but we can’t turn away from our fellow humans suffering on our doorstep .. This is the biggest movement of refugees since WWII .. Our government continues to fail us ..

#providesafepassage

A song from leonard cohen .. An amazing compassionate Canadian

Link … http://youtu.be/XTc3hIEPTyo

The title of this post is taken from lyrics written by the amazing Natalie Merchant.. its called .. This House is on Fire.. please listen to . It’s a great song  .. Link below .. orginally written in solidarity with the ongoing conflict in Palestine. 

I am in a state of disgust as the EU continue to threaten Greece for allegedly not doing enough to protect its borders .. This is a time when the EU leaders could have shown courage and humanity and just how strong we can be together .. and yet they have decided to enhance divisions in a race to the bottom .. whilst adding to the trauma of desperate families escaping a war for which the west must take a fair share of responsibility. . Sick to the stomach 

See guardian article below ..

I don’t know what else can be done .. but if you are able .. please please march on 27 Feb … one love

Take a look at @Emmamcnamara11’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/Emmamcnamara11/status/697465544304410628?s=09

Take a look at @eddiesurfs’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/eddiesurfs/status/697171880151773184?s=09

As more heartbreaking news is broadcast . 2 boats sunk many dead today including 11 kids .. what can we as ‘joe public’ do .. I want to do do much more but for now a march to show solidarity seems a great idea .   Please join me ..

There are 40 marches coordinated  right across Europe .. Some countries have many marches (such as Spain ) .. England has but 1 at the moment in London .(possibly Bristol as well). but we can make that one count ..

Please consider attending this March .. or if you are in the position to .. its possible to arrange a march in your  home city  . One Love

Links below …
https://www.facebook.com/events/852903024873960/

https://m.facebook.com/safepassagenow

Bob Marley would have been 70 today .. Legend

One Love .. Let’s get together  and feel alright … 💓