Reality Check: Volunteering in Ritsona Refugee Camp
By Keith McGuinness
The night before I left Greece a few of the Lighthouse Relief team went out for dinner. As I said my goodbyes, I complained about having to return to my routine back home. A member of the staff gently scolded me, arguing that life in Chalkida and Ritsona had been my regular routine for the previous three weeks.
Technically she was correct, as I had just finished volunteering at Lighthouse Relief’s Youth Engagement Space (YES). But before I explain why I respectfully disagree, let me describe my experience.
After spending the first couple of days familiarising myself with the space, I sat down with the YES Manager to figure out how I could support the Space most effectively. One priority was organising activities for the 12–15 year olds, as they were too old for the Child Friendly Space (CFS) and too young for YES. It didn’t take us long to identify football as common ground, and I agreed to referee a daily match.
Inevitably, football came up in conversation quite often (only the keenest fans remember players like Gabriel Heinze), and although I tried my best to plug AFC Wimbledon and the thrill of supporting a team competing in England’s third division, most residents preferred debating whether Messi or Ronaldo would score more goals at the World Cup. Incidentally, that prompted me to design a wall chart displaying the tournament’s fixtures, despite severe reservations regarding my artistic ability.
There were plenty of opportunities to get involved with ongoing activities too. At different stages I manned the pads as aspiring kickboxers practised their combinations and brushed up on my ping pong game on a skillfully-crafted, makeshift table. Meanwhile, the Lighthouse team offered a range of workshops aimed at assisting residents adjust once they move on from Ritsona, including classes in several European languages and advice about writing CVs and cover letters.
One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering was the chance to explore new cultures. This was my first experience of working with people from Iraq, Palestine and Syria, and I enjoyed learning about their customs and traditions. I also appreciated the endless patience shown by my various teachers as I built up my Arabic vocabulary.
While I met some gifted artists and artisans in Ritsona, one stood out in particular. Michael only started painting after he arrived in Greece, but it came naturally to him and his talent quickly became evident. Michael epitomises the potential in refugee camps waiting to be unveiled to the world, and I was delighted to work with him on setting up a website to showcase his artwork.
Returning to the comment about routine, I see things differently. I typically spend around eight hours each day staring at a laptop screen in a shared office on the south coast of England. The time I spent at Ritsona provided a welcome break, but when it ended I returned to my regular routine.
In contrast, the residents are stuck until their applications are processed. Ritsona may be an open camp, meaning they’re free to come and go, but geographical barriers (it’s a four-hour walk from Chalkida) and legal barriers mean the majority of residents are effectively stranded.
However, I found that any sense of frustration only revealed itself on rare occasions. Despite various warnings about the hardships volunteers could face, I felt a positive vibe from the minute I set foot in Ritsona. As another volunteer pointed out, many residents were escaping far worse conditions, but I like to think it demonstrated the extraordinary resilience of a diverse, yet unified, community overcoming adversity.
The residents also impressed me with their resourcefulness. A micro-economy has popped up in Ritsona: I ordered lunch from the falafel stand, bought bottles of water from the convenience store and got my hair cut by a Kurdish barber. Just imagine what this entrepreneurial flair could accomplish under the right circumstances.
I struggled to readjust after returning to the UK, even though I spent a relatively brief period in Ritsona. I still miss the company of such an inspiring group of people (including the Lighthouse team and volunteers). But if I managed to contribute to alleviating the boredom for at least a few residents, then I’ll feel like I contributed in a meaningful way. And that’s some consolation.
I’d like to finish up by saying thanks: to the residents for letting me spend time with them; to the hardworking staff for their support; to my fellow volunteers for the spirit of camaraderie; and to everyone for the memories.
Keith McGuinness is a freelance writer specialising in the finance sector. He has been volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers in London since 2013. During May 2018, he spent 3 weeks volunteering at Lighthouse Relief’s Youth Engagement Space in Ritsona refugee camp.
