In 2016, I was looking to volunteer in Greece after completion of my MA in International Relations. I had a long summer ahead of me and I wanted to do something to contribute to the refugee crisis in Europe. After doing some research, I was lucky enough to come across Refugee Support Europe (RSE), a small and independent charity, founded only few month before that.

I went to Alexandreia camp in Greece for a month, and worked with Refugee Support Europe to support the 800 refugees living in the camp. You wouldn't believe how lame the conditions in these "temporary" refugee camps in Europe were, specially that first summer, when most of the UNHCR shelter and WASH plan wasn't implemented yet. I won't go into detail.

Since the beginning of the crisis, and still now, this small organisation has helped making the life of the inhabitants of 5 camps around Greece a bit better. The camps provide people with a place that they can sleep but the conditions are very harsh. It can only be a temporary place before they move on to rebuild their lives. RSE has achieved a lot over these 3 years: among other achievements, people in the camps have now access to a mini-market and boutiques where they can use the tokens they received from RSE and can attend workshops and activities for women, men and children - check our website if you want to know more, and see the pics here to have an idea. https://www.refugeesupport.eu/projects/. All these are always organised in close collaboration and participation with the communities living in the camps and also local Greek partners.

RSE is a volunteer-led organisation, it has always been since its foundation in 2016. Everyone working, in the camps or remotely in operations, is a volunteer (I insist, no salaries involved). So when I came back from my time in the camp, I took a permanent volunteer position coordinating our volunteers. Since October 2016, I have interviewed, recruited and supported around 300 volunteers for RSE (that's a lot of hours on Skype haha)

Volunteers in the camps are always needed. Hence now, I am going back to Greece for around 10 days to support the work the organisation is doing. I will be working in Katsikas this time, "temporary" home of around 1100 people and I will be supporting the operations in the camp to support these people.

As a small and independent charity, we are entirely supported by private donations and our work is delivered by self-funded volunteers, yes 100% self-funded. If you liked my story and want to support me and RSE, that would be so amazingggg! You could make a donation or also come volunteering! Remember again, we are self-funded volunteers and all donations goes where it is most needed, promised.

Et voila! Thanks thanks thanks so much for reading, and please get in touch if you want to know more - any support will be very appreciated.

Love,

Leti