Letters from Samos — Day 6

Roger arrived today and I picked him up from the airport. He was excited to understand what was going on and to get involved right away and I was excited to have a friend to share this experience with. At each new place we arrived, so familiar to me, I could see the shock and curiosity fill up in Roger. I realised that my perception of the refugees has evolved and fear and uncertainty have vanished. Now I can see where I can help and just try to get on with it.

Late afternoon as the sun was setting and the authorities and NGOs locking up for the night, about fifty people arrived of all ages including babies and children. They were shattered and scared and since they were not Syrian they were not allowed to stay at the port camp but had to head up to the detention centre to be processed. The void had opened…

The problem was the detention centre was closed and they couldn’t stay at the port so they had nowhere to go and no official authority to help. An argument broke out between the charities at the port. One man from a samaritans charity wanted to ignore the police and allow them to stay at the port for the night but Elena — with her vast experience, intelligence and calmness — refused. If she didn’t follow the orders of the police, however difficult the situation, then they would not allow her the huge freedoms she has to help and the situation would be a whole lot worse for a whole lot more people. The good samaritan backed down and Elena’s team burst into action.

We gathered tents, blankets and sleeping bags and headed to the detention centre where the waiting refugees were getting restless and scared. We distributed and started putting up tents as quickly as we could, families with babies first. It gives no better satisfaction than to settle a family of seven or eight into a nice warm tent with plenty of blankets and to hear the babies stop crying and drift into a peaceful sleep.

After a while the patiently waiting groups of young men get their turn and chip in helping to erect the sometimes complex puzzles of tents from all over the world, with bits missing and no instructions, in the dark, on rocks and ledges with dangerous drops everywhere. But we got them all up with the help of rocks and trees and everyone got a home for the night. I have never felt so proud or happy and sad and angry at the same time. A mix of emotions which is starting to feel familiar.

Previous day: https:[email protected]/letters-from-samos-day-5-cbe334547839#.yaq7rw9qo

Next day: https:[email protected]/letters-from-samos-day-7-1079a30dcaf6#.gtsttcmd9

This piece is part of a series of letters one impossible user sent daily to his wife while he was volunteering on Samos, Greece. He has shared them with us as an insight into what is happening there and how much help is needed.
We’ll be posting one letter each day for the next 5 days. Follow us.