Books and Toys: Meet Rachel Trowsdale

 

smiles and hugs

       Name: Rachel Trowsdale

       Country of Origin: England

       Languages spoken: English

       Job back home: First aid trainer

Well, where do i start? I  guess at the beginning, back home in Brighton, UK. The media coverage of refugees (especially the children who where being robbed of a childhood) really upset me and I knew I wanted to help in some way. I thought of giving money but how would I know it was going to the right place and being used effectively? Then I thought "how about I go out there myself to make a difference and give the money to the places I know will help?" I started a crowd funding page and an Amazon wish list for a few children's books in Arabic, Farsi and Kurdish to take with me. Within an hour of sharing it on Facebook my friends had bought all the books on the list so I had to increase it and add more books, musical instruments and toys. 

This really spurred me on and although this was totally out of my comfort zone, I knew I had to do this! I organised my flights (and some hypnotherapy sessions as I'm terrified of flying, lol!) Once I arrived for my weeks' stay I was introduced to the Elea project. I was welcomed into the family of volunteers and everyone was so friendly. I guess I was a spectator in the first week, watching and taking it all in. I really liked it here and knew a week would not be enough so I changed my flight for a months' time and later added another 2 weeks as well! 

I quickly settled in, using my childcare background to help in the little squirrels preschool session each day. The children touched my heart and I will never forget them. It's the small achievements that stick with me the most, like getting a group of 2-4 year olds to sit in a circle and enjoy story time, when they run at you with open arms for a cuddle, the look of achievement on their faces when they have completed a puzzle or finished a painting. They may speak other languages but with eye contact, visual and facial expressions, we get along fine. Also some of the older children have great English and help with translating to the little ones. It's been so satisfying watching their behaviour change for the better and I've honestly enjoyed every minute. 

There are also some other great activities Elea arrange that are run by volunteers or residents at the camp such as yoga classes, henna night, bike and sewing workshops, dinner and clothing distribution where I worked with a single mum of 5 kids to find clothing to fit them all--with no translator! but after an exhausting hour of running in and out of the container (and a lot of descriptive hand gestures for trousers, big/small etc) she left with warm clothes for her family and gave me a thankful smile and pinch on the cheek which I know is a form of affection in her culture. Whenever I see her around the camp we wave and smile to each other in our different languages. 

I'm now close to the end of this amazing experience and I don't want to leave. These friendly families will forever be in my heart, I can only wish them the best and hope they find a better life for themselves. They have touched me and I have learnt so much from them. They are warm ,welcoming,humble people like you and I who want the best for their family.  I'm so glad I did this and recommend it to all. Everyone has a skill to bring even if you don't know it! It could be organisation skills, bike maintenance, level headedness, nail painting, DIY or clothes folding! Every skill is welcomed and used to its full potential. I have met so many other volunteers from all over the world, many nationalities and languages, but the one thing we have in common is we all share big hearts and want to make a difference.

My time here is coming to an end, I wish I could stay longer; going back to my old life will never be the same. I will get on with my 9-5 job, food shopping, watching TV, but a little bit of me will never be the same. Part of my heart is with Project Elea and all those children that deserve a childhood. I know without a doubt I will return, as so many of the volunteers do, and can't wait to see how the little squirrels are getting on.

Catching Bubbles in the Air: Meet Rowena Ludford

Name: Rowena Ludford
Country of origin: England/Wales

bubbles in the air

Professional background: Marketing
Research and marketing - Painter and decorator

 I had wanted to go and "help" in the refugee crisis for a long while and for health reasons was delayed in my mission, I felt a huge humanitarian tug upon my heart strings as I watched the news, plans had to be made, wheels set in motion. I had no reason to sit and watch this happen from afar "be someone who stands up and does what they can" I thought. The mission started in Calais, in the "jungle"and then on to Greece, Driving to Greece as one of my maiden voyages after passing my driving test and having spinal surgery did seem,at times, very very ambitious if not completely crazy. However, I made it albeit with some unforeseen events that made me question the whole plan.

 I found the situation in Greece to be welcoming but completely chaotic. This, I realised was going to be one of the many challenges of my mission, fine if you are relaxing on holiday but I started to get completely frustrated with the "too" relaxed vibes. "We are dealing with a crisis" I thought, "no I will not wait for everyone to have yet another coffee and 30 cigarettes". After 6 weeks of volunteering in refugee squats I was finding it harder and harder to do as much as I felt I wanted to. This is when I met a couple of people involved in the Elea project including the founder.

With promise of a schedule and some level of organisation I decided to offer myself for 2 days per week. This soon became 3,4,5 then 6 days per week. Project Elea had a schedule including games, yoga, cross fit, arts and crafts along with food and clothes distribution and educational time for children.

 I felt very welcome by the staff, volunteers and residents alike and felt at last that I could spend as much of the day "working" as I wanted, feeling productive, given the space and encouragement to add to the schedule or make improvements to the general running of things I felt like I had found the place for me.

There are so many beautiful moments that I shared with many people here, from a simple smile, a hug, a wordless conversation through eyes and gestures, through to seeing and hearing the response to a donation of drums that I made.

Many a day I concealed tears of both sadness and joy however, upon my last day I could no longer keep them inside.

For two reasons I cried on this day, firstly was as I sat watching residents playing football on their newly opened football pitch, children running around with crowns they had made in the arts and crafts session, catching bubbles in the air-  Project Elea is giving something so beautifully extra to the residents of the Eleonas camp that tears dampened my cheeks thinking of those whom do not have this benefit. I was feeling very proud and honoured to have been invited to join in. Secondly, saying goodbye and knowing that I was returning to a country that I no longer feel at ease with being a part of.

I shall return to Project Elea, my only challenge is to figure out when this will be, a few weeks or months.
I could ramble on for hours about my experiences, moments of joy, moments of disappointment but all I will say now is, I find it very hard to believe that anyone could regret working with project Elea; it has been one of the most fulfilling, rewarding and connecting months out of the 4 which I have spent volunteering with refugees.

... No matter what you are doing in the camp, it matters to the residents, sorting clothes may feel like a thankless task inside a (sometimes stuffy) container, when you try to make someone happy with the (sometimes) awful selection of clothes... It can feel frustrating and sometimes stressful, it can seem to not matter how clean, tidy and organised we are as volunteers but try to take as much pride in every single thing you do there because it does matter, everything matters, you may never encounter the situation where it matters but it does, have faith in that!

Remain beautiful, shiny, inspiring people. So much love. 💜💙💚💛❤️🙏🏻