Anne Wilson-Siembieda is off to Lesvos for the second time, to work with the refugees from Moria camp. I can only stay three months, due to the Schengen Law, stating that US citizens can remain in Europe for 90 out of 180 days. So I will come back to CA in January, and if possible, go back again in May.
About this blog:
I am a retired elementary school library specialist with a background in teaching English as a Second Language and teaching French. After spending 27 months in the Peace Corps in Morocco, I found a new calling on the island of Lesvos. I spent two months teaching unaccompanied minors from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Cameroun, the Congo, and Senegal, then I left for home in Fairfax, CA, determined to go back whenever possible. It is now possible, thanks to kind and generous friends and family, and I will return. This time will be more urgent; people are arriving on Lesvos and neighboring islands in huge numbers, similar to 2015. My primary work will be at a wonderful nonprofit school called Gekko School, funded by Better Days Greece. They offer classes to the unaccompanied minor refugees in Greek, Math, English, computers, photography, as well as other workshops. Gekko School is a haven for the UMs. They are encouraged to further their education, plan for their future, be creative, and boost their self confidence.
Blog
Big Changes for the Refugee and NGO populations on the Greek islands
Last week the newly elected Greek government issued an announcement describing sweeping changes to the current refugee management on the Aegean islands. They will clear out everyone in the overflowing camps on Lesvos and Samos, sort people into groups that will get asylum and groups that will be sent back (to where I’m not sure), …
Continue reading “Big Changes for the Refugee and NGO populations on the Greek islands”
The Hope Project
The Hope Project On Lesvos Here is another really special place on the island. A couple from Britain, the Kempsons, run an ngo providing spaces for refugees to relax, paint, sew, crochet and knit, across the street from KaraTepe camp. And paint they do! The walls are covered with paintings of beauty and sadness, politics …
Lesvos, the Island
Lesvos is a beautiful Aegean island. The third largest of the Greek islands, after Crete and Rhodes, it is situated so close to Turkey that you can see the towns on the Turkish coast on a clear day, and the lights at night. At the closest point, it’s only 4.1 miles from Turkey to Lesvos. …
Contact
Anne Wilson-Siembieda
415 755-0360 (USA)
awsfair@gmail.com
Refugee Education and Learning, Int’l -REAL
REAL is the US nonprofit that sponsors me and other American volunteers to work in Lesvos. Check out their website at: https://refugeeeducationandlearning.org