One Week Over Already!
PLEASE EXCUSE English errors and typos as due to time and priorities, I have little editing time :)
I’ve learned a tremendous amount since I have been here and it feels like I have been here a month and not a week, The more I learn the more I understand what a complex issue resettlement is and yet what a gift the purpose of our activities fulfill . Many refugees that I speak to have their own personal stories from all different perspectives. Samos Volunteers have current long term refugees with good command of English as Community Liaisons Volunteers who work very closely with us on a daily basis. They are wonderful.
They serve multiple purposes — for us, it gives us a reality check into the true lives and hearts of the refugees. They translate for us linguistically and culturally. They are involved in every single project. For them, it gives them an international community, a professional identity and helps normalize their life a bit. They were asked what has been the hardest part of their journey and their answers ranged from making the decision to actually attempt the life-threatening trip, leaving family unexpectedly, loss of faith in public organizations to total lack of control and certainty about their future. What powerful insights!
The activities we provide, while very basic in nature (language lessons, arts and crafts, music, fitness) all serve a much deeper level. They help bring normalcy to the refugee’s lives (adults and kids). These activities are intended to help restore dignity and respect, create a social network, develop skills for the future, escape from the camp and help give them a sense of identity. I find this gives them a sense of hope, restores their trust and confidence in a friendly and accepting atmosphere. You should have seen yesterday how thrilled the kids were to go to the beach and what a sense of pride when we taught some of how do a handstand in the water, or blow bubbles, or swim through our legs!
On the flip side- not everyone comes to our activities (nor could we accommodate that) and I’m sure many are depressed, anxious, extremely stressed and feel helpless. Hard not to when given the situation. I feel that I can see some of this in their eyes when we serve them tea on a daily basis. We were given a training session to look out for changes in mood, lack of interest, poor concentration, PTSD symptoms, self-harm or suicidal thinking. There was a mom a few days ago who tried to commit suicide we heard. There are of course cultural variations in the presentation of symptoms. Some cultures under or over play the symptoms. Some will want to discuss and others keep it private. How sadness is expressed varies too. And of course these are cultural generalities and there are individual and personal differences as well- all quite complicated. Might they not need a cross-cultural specialist?
As you can imagine, we do not have many resources and the things that would be so easy to find or buy either don’t exist here or we don’t have the money to buy it. We need to always choose activities that all levels of English can play, are non-violent in nature and that groups can play. We really wanted to play Twister with the kids. We were able to paint large colorful circles on the back of a tarp we have but what about a spinner? With cardboard, water bottle and a nail we did it! Such an accomplishment! The small joys in life!
