Gratefulness and Frustration

My two main feelings today were gratefulness and frustration.

After a time of prayer and devotions in which we reflected that the only right motive for the type of work we do is: Love; we set off to go and visit the Refugee Camp in Galatsi.

This is set at the Olympic Games installations in Galatsi on the same side of Athens as we are based. On a day like today when the rain was coming down relentlessly I was just so grateful that there was a place where the refugees could remain dry, fed and safe. My heart was grateful that the Mayor of Galatsi and the local Council have decided to open the doors of the Stadium. There are two big halls, one for families and the other for single men. The numbers they could cater for, is around 700 but there had been days that they had up to 1,300. This morning there were around 500. Refugees are taken on buses for free from Victoria Square or straight from the port of Pereaus  and they are free to come and go as they please at any time of day or night.

This of course makes their stay of Athens a much safer and pleasant experience. I just hope that more of the people who hang around the city squares would take advantage of the opportunity. But some seem to be afraid thinking that they may be forced to register to seek asylum in Greece when they have their eyes set on Germany or Sweden or one of the other prosperous European countries.

Jan feels that the fact that it is policemen who direct people to the buses may be one of the reasons why people may be afraid to board such buses. Perhaps this may be something we could bring up at our next meeting with the UNHCR, that maybe an NGO could take on this, rather than the police.

We got to speak with one of the Council officials who was heading the operation at that given time who shared his joys and his frustrations. A vast amount of volunteers makes the running of the camp possible. Breakfast and lunch is provided by the navy and the airforce. Besides food and cloths, medical care is also provided and we saw some young men enjoying a game of football. All in all it was a very encouraging experience for me which made me grateful for the local government's provision.

In the afternoon we went back to Victoria square and by then the rain was quite heavy. I huddled together with a group of Pakistani young men under a balcony sharing with them a common cause: trying to stay dry. I got to talk with Bashart Ali (pictured here standing next to me) who told me that the whole group of men have come from Sheikupura, about 20 Km from Lahore, seeking a better future in Europe. I've asked about their journey and they told me how they found the sea-crossing very scary. The sea was quite rough and their little plastic boats were tossed up and down, but they were relieved to reach the shores of Greece. I've asked about the price of their crossing and they told me that they paid about $1,200 each. There were 18 of them in the smaller boats and 30 odd in the bigger ones.

How can one not feel empathy for fellow men and women who go through such dangers to reach a place of safety; a place where they may stand a chance for a better future.

A group of volunteers came from the Salvation Army Hall to distribute some rain coats and dry socks but they were too few to go around the crowd in the square, and alas, we had no more to give. One of the volunteers walked to the local supermarket and bought some big black bin bags and passed them around to people to offer some protection from the rain.

O the frustration of seeing people wet and not being able to offer a raincoat. Perhaps God will answer our prayers and some more funding will come so we could buy raincoats and warm clothing as the weather changes and the winter kicks in.