I’m volunteering in Lesbos

We all know of the humanitarian crisis in Greece. In the first two weeks of January this year, over 30,000 refugees have made the treacherous journey from war torn countries to seek a better life in Europe. Syria is not a country I know, not a culture I understand and with little context of the reality its people face it is hard to comprehend. Newspaper headlines and radio commentary on the crisis is unrelenting and has been for months. The conflict in Syria has triggered the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II. 11 million people have been forced to flee their home, families are being torn apart, people living in horrendous conditions and incomprehensible circumstances. Yet with all this happening it often doesn't resonate, the magnitude of the crisis unfathomable to many of us.

Too many times I have felt the need to help others in greater need than I and have failed to act. As Spock once said, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few". With a guilty conscience and the willingness to do what I can, I will be travelling to Lesbos in Greece to contribute to the humanitarian aid being to provided to those most desperately in need. I will be leaving on February 9th, returning March 9th, and documenting what I see and stories I hear on my travels via a daily vlog.

I would greatly appreciate any donations to help support me on this trip and to give what I can to those who need it. I will also, for the sake of transparency, document all expenses and what has been spent toward helping those in need on the ground. All the money raised, will be spent in the local economy helping to support business and aid refugees. It is winter now and conditions are worsening all the time. Winter storms are making conditions treacherous, living conditions brutal and with temperatures between 6ºC and -4ºC clothing, blankets, food and such are needed.

Transporting aid and supplies from warehouses to camps around the island, as well as getting volunteers to where they're needed is a huge challenge. MarhaCar, a community of drivers working shifts to shuttle aid items are a critical piece in the system to keep refugees safe, warm and dry. You must provide you're own car and fuel so some of the funding will go toward this.

Thank you so much for your contribution.

"It always seems impossible until it's done"

Regards

Andrew