By Carlissa Larsen, Founder and consultant of the LHI Utah Programs
On her recent trip to the LHI Refugee Community Center in Serres, Greece, Carlissa was recruited by Jaron, LHI's Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, to construct a space for the professional development program!
Carlissa Larsen has been with LHI for 7 years. She started as a volunteer and founded the Utah programs. She worked as co-director for Utah operations, and is now a consultant for our Utah programs. She recently traveled to Jordan and Greece to see the impact of LHI’s work on the ground for the first time!
SO THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AID FROM UTAH IS UNBOXED!
For years, I helped gather, organize, and load shipping containers of humanitarian aid for LHI in Utah. With every shipment that we sent we would receive photos of that aid being distributed in places like Jordan, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Somalia, Greece and other locations around the world. But I’d wanted to see the impact of the work we do in Utah in real time on the ground. So I was super excited to help with a distribution at the LHI Refugee Community Center in Serres, Greece!
LHI Greece team members set up a free shop for parents and children to shop for toys, clothes, and baby supplies.
We also distributed food and feminine hygiene pads.
SEWING AND SPA DAY AT THE FEMALE FRIENDLY SPACE
The sewing machines are enjoying a short rest before they go back to work!
The Female Friendly Space offers a variety of crafting and self-care activities. Visiting groups occasionally lead workshops on female health and healing from trauma.
This is the Female Friendly Space (FFS) at our refugee center in Serres. Women who come to the FFS use these sewing machines everyday to mend or hem their clothing. There is also a corner for women to sit and knit or crochet. In addition to sewing, knitting, and crocheting, the FFS offers different activities provided everyday.
Who wore it best nail polish edition!
I hate having my fingernails polished, but when a 13 year old Yazidi refugee came in and motioned for me to come sit next to her so she could paint my fingernails, I let her paint my fingernails! It struck me that on the other side of the world, my 11 year old daughter was also participating in an activity with other young women where they were painting their fingernails. In so many ways, people are the same, no matter where they are or what their circumstances might be. We are separated only by lines drawn on a map.
Thank you Carlissa for sharing your visit to the LHI Refugee Community Center in Serres, Greece with us! To learn more about LHI’s program in Greece, click here!