My story. Their journey
17 December 2015
It's a quiet night so far so I have a little time to think and reflect on the things I see every day. I don't know if many of you know the situation so I will try and explain it a bit.
- About 4 weeks ago and before, the camp at Moria didn't exist. Refugees arrived by boat, they weren't greeted. They walked 60km (wet, sick and hurt) to get to where they needed to register. Registration was taking days, so they would sit outside in a line waiting their turn. They couldn't leave the line for fear of losing their spot, many went without food and water. Then came the rains. Still they had no where to go, hence the news article titled - 'The Childrens Feet are Rotting'. In less than four weeks volunteers have created Moria. A camp with warm food, chai, clothing distribution for those who are wet, and a place to sleep. If we can only help in a small part of their journey, then we will -
We often ask where people have come from and what they've been through.
One man has left his wife and three children in Pakistan. He's been gone six months. Three months ago he was kidnapped by people (he said Turkish) and just held captive. He was beaten and tortured. He somehow managed to finally get on a boat and now he is here.
One woman (I heard from another volunteer) was on the boat with her baby. Her baby was wrapped up. The boat started to sink so people were throwing everything overboard (often this includes passports and all belongings) - someone mistook her baby for a bag and threw it over. She realised too late.
One woman, travelling with her partner, said the smugglers put them in a small room full of men for three days. They weren't allowed out until it was time to put them on a boat.
Smugglers will hide people for as long as they need. They will hide them on the coast and then put them onto boats that aren't big enough - smugglers charge at least 1000€ per person for a space on these boats. If refugees refuse to go on the boat they are threatened and forced. Often with a gun to their head. Most boats arrive on the verge of sinking. Many boats have sunk. They are 15 person rubber boats with more than 50 people on them.
They arrive here after 2, 3, 4+ hours on the boat - some are told it will take 15 mins to get to Greece - many don't realise they are not on the mainland. They are wet and freezing. Hopefully they are met on the shore. Greek police are arresting volunteers who try to signal boats still in the water.
They have to wait on the beach until buses arrive to collect them. If we don't spot a boat, they have to wait in the dark or try walking somewhere - without knowing where to go. Still wet and cold.
They get to the camp where they have to register. If it's in the night - we need to get them changed and find somewhere for them to sleep. At the moment we are full. People are sleeping outside on cardboard next to tiny fires. We have nothing else to offer - we even have to drive around to find pellets to burn.
When a bus arrives the refugees are brought down to our tent. We rummage through clothing to find something suitable. Refugees stand in line outside waiting. We try to see the children first - most are wet and need to be warmed and changed. It is a long and stressful process. We have no where warm for them to wait. They stand in line; shivering, crying, in shock - and we can only see one person at a time. It is very hard and very sad.
Once we have sorted everyone on the bus, we have to find blankets (which we are always short on) - and try to find empty tents. Mostly we are only half way through this process when another bus arrives. We take a deep breath, and we start all over again. More children, more heart break.
Registration opens at 7 or 8am (or whenever the guards feel like opening - families will sit and wait in the cold, guards will stand around smoking) once registered, this gives them a 30 day visa for Europe.
They then get the ferry to Athens (if they have any money) where they move forward. Although a lot of the borders have now closed and people have been taken back to a refugee camp in Athens. From here they will be deported. We don't yet know where to.
The things these people go through. Walking so far - outside at all hours. Traveling to unknown places. Not having a home. Not knowing where they're going. No clothes, no possessions. Having to carry babies, children. Constant fear for your life. I couldn't even imagine how hard this must be. So much suffering. Right now, I have so many layers on and I'm still cold. I think about the people sleeping in front of fires, i think about the people on the beach. I think about the people still in the water. How much pain can one endure for only the hope of a better life.
Please take the time to educate yourselves. Please read articles and watch videos. This is something that simply cannot be ignored.
