Many displaced people have made the decision to seek more opportunity and escape conflict or poverty in their home countries by crossing into Europe through Aegean Islands, such as Lesvos and Chios, Greece. Once they arrive, they often have few resources and are unable to get permanent residency status. They rely on assistance from organizations like the IRIS Center to provide for basic necessities.
To help support these refugees, I visited a local IRIS Center collection site in Chios, Greece on a 2021 family trip. I purchased and delivered much-needed baby supplies, such as formula, diapers, and baby cereal.
It was a little difficult at first to connect with a local organization working directly with refugees in Chios, Greece from my home in the U.S. Luckily, mom helped me to find the IRIS Center online and connect with the local volunteers to make a plan for purchasing and delivering the needed supplies. Once on the island, my Papou (grandfather) who lives there helped to provide transportation to the market and my mom and dad helped to purchase the supplies and deliver them to the storage facility near the airport.
When talking to the IRIS Center representative, Shirley, I learned that many refugees are stranded in Greece if their applications are denied. They can’t work without the proper paperwork, but they also can’t afford the fees to keep submitting new applications.
Shirley invited us to accompany her to deliver supplies directly to some of the refugee families, but unfortunately, our schedule did not give us the time to do that. Next time, I would like to make sure that we have a chance to do this.
Meeting with the local representative and hearing more about what the refugees' needs and challenges are.
Get an adult's help to use social media to connect with trusted organizations working locally if you are trying to have an impact in another country.
