Lifting Hands International (LHI) is a small, grassroots, non-profit organisation with projects around the world providing humanitarian aid. 

In January I will be joining them in Serres, Northern Greece, where they provide a number of psycho-social services for refugees. The services include language classes, a female friendly space, a child friendly space, a library, computers, social gatherings and recreational activities. LHI also distribute essential items such as seasonal clothing, dry food, fresh produce and hygiene supplies. More information about LHI’s work in Serres may be found at  https://www.liftinghandsinternational.org/northern-greece

There are communities from 20 different countries living in the camps and using the centre. Currently the largest groups of refugees LHI work with are Afgans and Iraqi Yazidis (the latter being survivors of genocide who LHI have worked with since the centre first opened in 2016). Over the last 6 months alone several hundred Afghans have arrived in Serres. A recent change in Greek government policy has significantly reduced access to basic aid for refugees; more than 10,000 refugees in Greece are now facing dire food insecurity, right as the harsh Greek winter sets in. Almost half are children.

LHI aim to provide a safe, welcoming community space for all refugees and want to ensure that all of their training and education courses are available to everyone, regardless of the language they speak, the religion they practice, or the ethnic group they belong to.

How you can help - 

I am fundraising for the LHI Serres programme. Any money raised will go straight to LHI to help them continue to provide their services and buy the essential items they need. No money raised will be used to fund my visit.

Any donation you can make is massively appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.