The Guardian have recognised that often the work that volunteers do is overlooked. With this is mind they are collecting individual stories from volunteers, about one day they made a difference.
I was only on Lesvos for 8 days – I met some amazing people with some amazing stories .. please please share them – the UK people need to hear them .. Link below
http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2016/feb/02/the-day-you-made-difference
We all know that there are people out there who fail to see refugees as real people .. its happened historically and for these people it makes its easier to accept that the ‘none people – or refugees’ are suffering and dying on our doorstep – and we can turn away or worse slam the door in their faces and wish them ill without any guilt.
Sometimes extremists (yes they are extremists) feel the need to spread their view on social media – when I see this my heart does sink as a part of me despairs that people can live their lives with so little humanity.
A group – Calais Action has suffered with Trolls and had the fantastic idea of turning these disturbing posts into providing funds for refugees .. fighting ignorance with a big sloppy kiss..when a post (such as the one below) is posted on their site – they put the link below for supporters to donate. Therefore the delightful Sam George below has only succeeded to helping the people he has never met but for some reason despises ..
If you see a post by a Troll please reward them by donating to Trollaid (link below) https://www.youcaring.com/calais-action-510175
Troll posted yesterday ..
Sam – I will be donating to Calais Action on your behalf – thanks for your help
n
Greek footballers along with referees staged a sit down protest in solidarity for the millions of refugees fleeing war … hundreds continue to lose their lives in the seas around greece .. The indifference of the EU is shocking .. more concerned with “stemming the flow ” than providing safe passage and support for our fellow humans.
More protests needed across the EU.. we are human ..
Link below to guardian article …
Www.gu.com/p/4gavc/sb
Millions are in this situation .. wake up world .. its not just the bombs causing suffering and hardship
Since returning from Lesvos . I have been trying to let people know a little of the human story about the refugee crisis .. All we ever here is numbers and statistics .. These are humans , people , families ..
I managed to make half a point on BBC Question Time last night (from about 25 min into the programme) .. I am disappointed that in the heat of the moment I didn’t quite manage to express the enormity of this tradegy. . But it’s a start I guess (link below)
The local paper also printed an article about the crisis and my trip .. again the message seemed diluted and not quite right .. but it’s something .. one love .. we are all human x
12 dead including 8 children .. off Samos. . Tragic and preventable .. provide safe passage
As news comes from leaders around Europe that refugees fleeing war are not welcome . My heart sinks and I am ashamed our leaders find it acceptable (ok not in all cases but quite a lot) to slam the door in the faces of families who have lost everything and are running out of options for survival . We should be moving to 6th gear into ’emergency mode’ and pulling together to provide a safe haven until there are safe countries to return to (yes. . The refugees DO want to go home .. funnily enough they don’t want to be homeless and rely on others for their survival)
The song by Christie Moore swims about in my head .. apt today as it was for the irish not that many decades ago
The chorus goes …
“You better get born in someplace else.
So move along get along move along get along . Go move shift”
The renovations continue at the Hotel Elpis on Lesvos .. preparing the space for refugees. This is what was pulled from the drains – In 20 years of looking down drains – I have never seen anything quite like it .. 
I have got a space on BBC Question Time this Thursday .. guess what subject my question to the politicians will be … ? (If I get the chance to ask that is) … fingers crossed x
Anyone can help this project either practically if you can spare some time to visit Lesvos or by buying from The Hotel Elpis Amazon wishlist (below)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/wishlist/16M4UIKPSEIFM/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v
The renovation of the Hotel Elpis on Lesvos is a fantastic project. Managed by Jenni James, Phillipa and Eric Kempston, all have whom have spent much of their time helping refugees on the island… Jenni was described to me as a force of nature when I arrived on Lesvos – intrigued to meet her, I wasn’t disappointed to meet an incredibly driven, capable lady from NZ – I was glad we were on the same side as she was indeed a force of nature.
Eric and Phillipa have given an incredible amount of their time and emotional energy to helping the refugees on Lesvos – as well as using their home to sort and store vast amounts of donations.
It is a great place to work – especially if you DIY literate and handy with a spanner/hammer/saw.. you get the picture (which I am not particularly but still managed to help). In the 8 days I was on Lesvos, the improvement to the Hotel was phenomenal, but after being empty for 7 years you can imagine there is quite a full schedule of repairs to be done.
The main room has a huge fire place, which will be great when refugees arrive wet, there is also a medical center and changing rooms along with rooms for refugees to stay overnight if required. A great step up from a tent (or sleeping outside), I am sure you agree.
Phillipa and Erica have an Amazon wishlist. Below.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/wishlist/16M4UIKPSEIFM/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v
Solidarity for refugees 