Partner Spotlight: Their Story is Our Story

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Their Story is Our Story, an organization that is giving a voice to asylum seekers and refugees by collecting and sharing their stories and images, revealing the individuals behind the labels. 

TSOS helps refugees tell their stories in a way that is intimate and emotionally authentic. The first story from our partnership tells about the arrival of a young mother and her son at one of the border shelters where asylum seekers are dropped off after being released from detention centers.

A Single Backpack

Contributor: Kelsey Royer, TSOS
Photographer: Kristi Burton, TSOS

A single backpack contains all the belongings this Guatemalan mother possesses after her arrival at an Arizona church the day of her release from a border detention center. She and her son were among fifty asylum seekers from Central American countries processed by ICE, fitted with ankle monitors, and released to await their asylum claims in court.

The manner of their release was abrupt. After exiting the detention center, which some called the “icebox” because it was kept so cold, they were placed on a Homeland Security bus, driven for several hours to the church, and dropped off. They did not have money or phones and had not showered in weeks.

Unlike this young mother with her backpack, others arrived with their meager belongings inside plastic “homeland security” bags. When asked, many were unaware of where they were or how far it was to where they were going. They each had sponsors (usually extended family members) located in various cities around the country but they had not had the opportunity or means to communicate with them or form travel plans.

Remarkably, this woman and her companions were welcomed by church and community volunteers who greeted them with warm smiles as well as access to mobile shower facilities, food, and clothing. They also connected them with their sponsors by phone and made travel arrangements. Most of the asylum seekers were on their way to their ultimate destinations within 48 hours.

This Homeland Security bus drop-off scenario is repeated multiple times every week in locations near the U.S. southern border. Though their detention center experience is often horrific and inhumane for asylum seekers, countless church congregations, NGOs, and community volunteers rise to administer to their needs and assist in their continuing journeys. 

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Aid supplies donated to LHI are shipped to partner shelters like the one in the story above, where generous nonprofit organizations and churches provide additional services including warm meals, showers, and a place to stay for a short time.

Will you help by donating aid supplies for delivery to these shelters?

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TODAY.

Untitled, by Naif

Don’t let me feel sad
because I have already
broken my heart
on that country.

I was living.
We were feeling very happy.
But something happened,
changed everything there

and in a very short time
demolished everything
until our beautiful dreams
were gone.

I hope we become as we were.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAM IN GREECE HERE! AND IF YOU’RE FEELING GENEROUS, WE ALWAYS NEED $$ DONATIONS TO KEEP THE PROGRAM RUNNING AND SUPPORT RESIDENTS LIKE NAIF AND HIS FAMILY!

Happiness, by Fahima

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAM IN GREECE HERE! AND IF YOU’RE FEELING GENEROUS, WE ALWAYS NEED $$ DONATIONS TO KEEP THE PROGRAM RUNNING AND SUPPORT RESIDENTS LIKE FAHIMA AND HER FAMILY

Volunteer Spotlight: Anna, Serres Program

Anna P. is a jack of all trades at the LHI Refugee Center in Greece. Her German students are so lucky to learn from a skilled native German speaker in the morning, and the women enjoy her bright personality in the Female-Friendly Space in the afternoon. She’s also very involved in the women’s social enterprise Duzzi, training women in making wall hangings and overseeing sales. At the end of the day, you’ll always find Anna making friends with everyone she meets, speaking Greece, or reading pretty hefty intellectual books!

1. Tell us a little about yourself:
Hello I'm Anna, 23, from Germany. Before I came to Greece I finished my BA in anthropology in Leipzig.

2. What is your position at LHI?
I am involved with multiple programs in LHI. I teach German in the morning, I also work in the Female-Friendly Space in the afternoon. On top of that, I am one of the people on the ground for the Duzzi (wall hangings) social enterprise.

3. How and why did you get involved with LHI?
I really liked the opportunity to work so close with women. At that I appreciate LHI as an grassroots organization as it is still growing, and it values the work on an eye-to-eye level with the residents.

4. What is a typical day of working at LHI's Refugee Center like for you?
Every day is different here, but my typical day starts in the morning at 10 with my women’s German class. Afterwards when the weather is nice I usually stay on the field, help a bit with things like tiding the library or weeding the garden. In the afternoon I am helping with the program (arts and crafts, crocheting or games) in the Female-Friendly Space, which usually goes until 6.

5. What has been your most rewarding experience working in Serres?
I think my most rewarding experience are the small simple moments of the everyday life here. Sometimes it is just a simple chat about food with the women, the curiosity of a toddler or the simple exchange of a hello in Kurmanji (“Bashee!”) on the way to the centre with some of the residents. As a teacher it is also amazing to see how eager to learn the students are, and how much progress my students already made since I came here.

6. What have you learned since volunteering with LHI in Serres? Has your perspective on anything changed?
I learned a lot from the work with the Yazidi community. For example I learned that the simple things are sometimes so much more than we think they are and I developed a different sense of gratitude towards life and connecting to other humans now.

Find out more about volunteering at the LHI Refugee Center in Serres, Greece here!

Volunteer Spotlight: Cecilia, Serres Program

Yes, Cecilia brings expertise, dedication, and amazing teamwork to LHI, but the greatest thing she brings to all who work and associate with her is JOY. Her versatile and diplomatic personality make her an ideal member of any team in any program. We are so lucky that — as the current volunteer coordinator — Cecilia’s is the voice that our incoming volunteers hear! Thank you for months of amazing work and for making everyone feel welcome and loved.

Cecilia paints her square on the new tent!

1. Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Cecilia Sanfelici, I’m 22 and I come from Italy. I graduated from a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, and I am currently on my gap year before starting a master’s in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action. My life and career goal is to work in NGOs or international organizations which provide support to refugees on the ground. I previously volunteered with refugees in a small border town in Italy.

2. What is your role at LHI?
I have been volunteering in the Female Friendly Space since October, but as of the December I am the Volunteer Coordinator for LHI.

3. How and why did you find out about LHI?
After graduating, I felt the need of getting more practically involved in the terrible situation that refugees face after their arrival in Europe, and as soon as I found out about LHI through a friend, I knew that this was the place to be for me.

4. What is a typical day of volunteering at LHI's Refugee Center like for you?
My schedule has been changing quite a lot. Until December, I used to spend my mornings in the warehouse and the afternoons at our community centre, in the Female Friendly Space. Since I became the Volunteer Coordinator, I work from home in the mornings, but I still spend every afternoon at the field, working with the women and the girls.

5. What has been your most rewarding experience working at LHI’s refugee center in Greece?
There are two most rewarding things about this job. Firstly, all the simple and happy moments spent with the residents: realizing that I am making my part in creating a safe space where people can learn, laugh, play, dance, and confide in me, is extremely important to me. Secondly, seeing that the projects of LHI on the ground are growing and evolving gives a lot of hope, and makes me understand that I have done my part in allowing some refugees to get more and more services and support.

6. What have you learned since volunteering with LHI in Serres? Has your perspective on anything changed?
Working with LHI in Serres has taught me what I think is the real nature of volunteering: helping people and helping myself at the same time. Helping myself to change and grow into the person that I want to become. Yazidis are an incredibly strong and wonderful population for so many different reasons. I admire their strength, their resilience and their ability to smile and find something positive even when everything in their life is dark. Working in close contact with them for such a long time made me realize that I want this not only for myself, but for everyone.

Female-Friendly Space team!

Find out more about volunteering at the LHI Refugee Center HERE!

Greek Classes in Serres!

Something in Greek… ;)

Chrysa, a native of Serres, Greece teaches Greek at the LHI Refugee Center. And she does it all as a volunteer! Not only are her classes engaging and effective, lots of children take every second that Chrysa is on site to practice their Greek that they've learned in school.

Refugees spend a lot more time in Greece than they anticipate, as resettlement is a long process. Refugees can't work in Greece, but they do interact quite a bit with locals at market, hospital, grocery store, etc.

Volunteer Spotlight: Hannah, Greece Program

Hannah at shoe distribution!

1. Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Hannah (25, from Germany). I have a master’s degree in psychology and would like to become a psychotherapist working in the field of humanitarian work. I previously spend three months in Ghana working in an orphanage and teaching children of all age levels basic English and Maths. Two years ago, I worked in a Yezidi only camp in Katzikas, Greece and now I have the opportunity to work with Yezidis again in Serres.

2. What is/was your position at LHI? 
I am currently managing the CFS Program of LHI which means that I am responsible for creating activities for the 3-6 year old children together with my amazing team of volunteers.

Hannah (3rd from right) and the Child-Friendly Space team!

3. How and why did you get involved with LHI?
LHI was one of many organizations that I found online when I decided to volunteer in Greece. They got back to me quickly and during the whole application process I already felt welcome and well informed. One important reason for me to work with LHI (even if that must sound a bit horrible) is that they actually pay their managers a small salary and cover the housing costs if you stay for a certain amount of time, which I think is a very sustainable approach because it guarantees that people can afford to stay long-term.

4. What is/was a typical day of working at the LHI Refugee Center like for you?
That is so difficult to describe in a few sentences, because no day looks like the other. Every day we provide activities for the children from 3 to 6 o’clock. These activities range from crafting, sportive activities and gardening to reading and writing, construction, role plays and sensory games. In addition to that I spend a lot of time in the mornings in team meetings, check-ins to make sure my volunteers are feeling good, shopping trips for materials and administrative work.

One of Hannah’s activities for children at the Child-Friendly Space in Serres, Greece!

5. What has been your most rewarding experience working in Serres
Seeing an idea that you had in mind for the children working out is always such a rewarding moment for me. And even if we are not supposed to have favorite kids, a small boy that seems to be on the autistic spectrum makes my heart melt every single time I see him laugh and having a good time in our space.

6. What have you learned since volunteering with LHI in Serres? Has your perspective on anything changed?There is an endless list of things that I learned here. Apart from practical things during work it is learning that not only am I capable of being surrounded by the same group of people every day, work and live with them and have a very limited amount of privacy but that I really don’t mind it and on the contrary quite enjoy it. Working with Yezidis, who have been through so much, inevitably changes your perspective on your own live and on the priorities that you have. And also, being surrounded by truly inspiring people from all over the world who dedicate their time to helping refugees really broadened my horizon through interesting conversations that I would never have had in a different context and just the way they live their lives.

Find out more about the LHI Refugee Center in Serres, Greece HERE!

A little teapot thank you!

A few years ago, some residents of Serres camp came to us with a humble request: one teapot per family. Families were using discarded tins to boil water over a fire, and people were getting burned. They told us that they would understand if we couldn’t provide them, since teapots aren’t considered essential aid. So we came to you for help, and within a day, you donated enough funds to buy each family a teapot. 

Two and a half years later, they still use their teapots. They will often bring tea to the LHI Refugee Center from the camp, specifically to LHI volunteers as a token of gratitude and hospitality, something so important in their culture. 

On behalf of the several families of Serres camp, thank you for your continued support. 

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Happy LHI Anniversary, Iona!

We want to wish Iona a super Happy LHI anniversary! Iona (23, from England) has been the Female-Friendly Space program manager at the LHI's Refugee Center in Serres, Greece for an entire year. She not only runs the program but also built it up from scratch.

What is the Female-Friendly Space that she runs so well? It is a safe, healing space reserved just for women (ages 13+), where they can relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, spend time with one another, and take part in several healing activities. Iona and her team host daily activities, such as crafts, games, use of sewing machines, films, beauty days, and others.

We're so grateful for Iona's dedication, expertise, sense of humor, thorough understanding of Brexit politics (and anything Harry Potter), and grounding presence for the hundreds of women that have enjoyed the FFS over the last year.

#volunteer #liftinghands #humanitarian

Volunteer Spotlight: Ally, Greece program

Ally in the LHI library in Serres, Greece

1. Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Ally from the UK. I’m 31 and have an MA in Global Development and Education. I've had various volunteer roles before: in the UK, Ghana, El Salvador, and Myanmar.

2. What is your position at LHI?
I am the Education Manager at the LHI Refugee Center in Serres, Greece.

3. How and why did you get involved with LHI?
I actually fell into teaching ten years ago volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers in the UK so I've come full circle following twelve years of teaching in different contexts around the world. When I saw the position with LHI, I knew it was something I wanted to do as I strongly believe everyone should have access to quality education, no matter their circumstances. Language in particular is so important when living in another country: not being able to communicate can make you feel lost. 

Ally (second from right) with some other members of the leadership team.

4. What is a typical day for you at LHI's Refugee Center?
There is no typical day for me at LHI! Aside from teaching my class and any other classes that might need covering due to teacher shortages/sickness, I make sure everything is running smoothly for the students and teachers at the community centre; that everyone has what they need and knows where they need to go and is generally happy! Most days there is a meeting to attend either with other management or the teaching team where we may share experiences and strategize for goals moving forward. 

Bekah and Ally repping the children’s face painting activity

5. What has been your most rewarding experience working at LHI’s refugee center in Greece?
I have many rewarding experiences here! Aside from small every day moments in my classes, I really enjoyed running two teacher training workshops for our resident teachers in September and November to support them with communicative language teaching. 

Our Christmas talent show was also a really memorable moment for me as I got to perform with and for my students and watch others perform songs or dances they'd been working on for weeks. The atmosphere was so nice.

Recently, I also loved bringing my local salsa group to the centre and watching the kids getting involved dancing at one of our Saturday parties. 

6. What have you learned since volunteering with LHI in Serres? Has your perspective on anything changed?
I've learned so much since being in Greece: about the complicated asylum process, about the Yazidi community, about leadership, and about my own capabilities in this environment and role. 

Learn more about the LHI Refugee Center in Serres, Greece HERE!

Life story by Sami, Yazidi resident of Serres camp

Sami is 19 and consistently attends English classes. He wrote this story in English! Sami also regularly volunteers for us at the Child-Friendly Space and teaches them English! He is such a kind young man who has experienced so much hardship for someone so young, yet is so resilient.

My Life by Sami

My name is Sami, I’m from Iraq. I was born in 1998 in a village called Khusory. I have two brothers and five sisters.

I was a student in high school and finished in 2015. I had a shop until 2014 because we lived there.

We had to go to the mountain where we lived for 7 days because we had a war. After 7 days we walked the mountain until Syria. 12 hours we walked until we arrived in Syria. After we went to Kurdistan.

After I arrived in Kurdistan I went to a camp. I was there two years. Then I came here.

I’d like it to always be sunny because I dislike the cold. In my future I’d like to complete my studies and have work and always stay in one country.

I’d like to be a football player but I think it’s impossible. 
I’d like to go to the UK to visit and be free in my life. 

The Weather, by Ahmed

Ahmed is a kind, quiet, unassuming guy. He is an excellent English student and shows up everyday for class. He’s married with children and is looking forward to resettlement, hopefully in Germany.

The Weather by Ahmed

In Serres the weather today is quiet.
I see many crows flying in the sky,
The sun is shining very high,
I will be happy in the countryside.
I see different colors in the sky,
I think the sky is very high,
I feel happy all the time. 

Find out more about our program in Greece here! And if you’re feeling generous, we always need $$ donations to keep the program running and support residents like Ahmed and his family.

Volunteer Spotlight: Tara, LHI Refugee Center

1. Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Tara. I’m 27 and from the Netherlands. Before I came to Serres I was studying for a Masters International Public Health, from which I graduated this summer.  During my master I worked in a refugee camp in Greece for the first time for a couple of months. Before that, I always wanted to work on projects that would lead to the empowerment of people and that would enable people to find their own strengths. During my time on Lesvos island (Greece), mI learned that I wanted to work for projects that helped empowering people who had to flee their homes. 

2. What is your position at LHI? 
I’m currently one of the field coordinators for LHI

3. How and why did you get involved with LHI?
The moment I learned about LHI via a website,  I straight away was very motivated to contribute to all activities it offers to the residents of Serres Camp. Especially, since I believe the activities here are extremely important since people are often stuck in camps for years and years without having anything to do. Having activities and a safe place to go to really changes the days and lives of people here.

4. What is a typical day for you at LHI's Refugee Center?
I never know what my day will bring and all my days look different, which I love love love. I spend a lot of time supporting the volunteers here on the ground, which is also my favorite part of the job. I try to make sure that they have all the tools here to run our activities and together we strategize on how we can improve the activities and how we can adapt to the always changing circumstances. I also really enjoy searching for collaboration with other NGOs, since we are stronger when we work together. 

5. What has been your most rewarding experience working at LHI’s refugee center in Greece?
For me the most rewarding moments are really the small ones, like playing football with the kids, seeing the women laugh together over a silly game in the Female-Friendly Space, cooking and dancing together with the residents. Basically, the simple moments of joy, when everyone is having fun. Simple, but so beautiful. 

6. What have you learned since volunteering with LHI in Serres? Has your perspective on anything changed?
In my time here I have learned how incredibly strong and resilient people are, which inspires me each day and keeps me going. Also, I have learnt to focus on the positive in this sometimes seemingly hopeless context. I mean how could I not? How inspiring is it it to work together each day with people from all over the world who travelled to Greece and give their time to work together to improve the lives of our fellow human beings. These individuals step up, when their governments refuse to do so. It amazes me each day. 

Learn more about volunteering in Greece by contacting greecevolunteer@lhi.org!

Volunteer Spotlight: Larry, Utah Program

Larry is one of our amazing Utah warehouse volunteers!  He does all of the hard work around the warehouse — all of the heavy lifting, box moving, ladder climbing, swamp cooler fixing, and any other jobs that no one else can do. And he does it all while cracking jokes and making us laugh! He is our food packing specialist and is always willing to drive out to the recycling center to drop off all of our empty cardboard boxes. We are so grateful to have him on our team and couldn't do it without him!

Tell us a little about yourself:
I am 70 years old and live in Lindon, Utah. I grew up in and we raised our family in Southern California. I attended BYU (BS degree in Zoology) and Loyola of Chicago (DDS degree in Dentistry). I’m currently retired with a goal to remain active and contribute to community, family and church community. Previous volunteer experience includes various church responsibilities, scouting, coaching, currently a docent volunteer at the Butterfly Biosphere at Thanksgiving Point in Utah. 

Role at LHI:
I do whatever I’m assigned to do, which includes assorting, packaging, relocating boxes, lifting, etc.

What is a typical day like for you?
In addition to the above, it is feeling the interaction with other volunteers who share a love for the people who will benefit by our labors. The joy of charitable giving.

How did you become involved with LHI?
My sister in law, Debi introduced us to the organization.

What have you learned since volunteering with LHI? Has your perspective changed?
Real charity is not something you give away. It is something that you acquire and it becomes part of yourself. When the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. I have certainly felt more fulfilled since volunteering at LHI.

Volunteer Spotlight: Ava, Utah Program

Ava is a dedicated Utah drop off location volunteer! Her drop off location is a busy one, and she has an hour drive round trip to get to the warehouse. We often see her once a week! She always pulls up to the warehouse with the music cranked up, her dog in the passenger seat, and a hug and a smile for us.

Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m 65 years old and originally from West Palm Beach, FL. I have been in the insurance business for 40 years and have worked for the same employer 20 of those years. I have served for many years in various positions in my church.  I love serving others.  My Facebook intro says: To serve others and in some small way repay my Father in Heaven for all He is given me. I feel very blessed and feel it my duty to share my blessings with others.

Role at LHI:
I am a drop-off for people who donate to LHI. I normally drop off the items to the LHI warehouse once a month. As most of you know, though, November and December was a very busy month, so I made numerous trips to the warehouse, about every week. It was an amazing experience.

What is a typical day like for you?
It varies depending on when people have donations to drop off. I get a number of phone calls and texts, knocks on the door at various times of the day and night.  People are always so kind, friendly, and so very appreciative of the LHI cause. I even get hugs from many of the people!  That REALLY makes my day.

How did you become involved with LHI?
I get email updates from JustServe.  One day, I saw the word Lebanon and read what it was about. My grandparents were from Lebanon. I never knew my grandfather and only knew my grandmother for about 3 years when I was a teenager. I've tried for many years to tie my Lebanese family tree together.  It is a very frustrating endeavor but one I won't give up on. I felt like I needed to make humanitarian kits for the people of Lebanon. Who knows? Maybe some of those people are my blood relatives? When I called Traci to find out where to take the kits, she told me they didn't currently have a drop off place near where I live. I asked her what was involved. Ironically, my hairdresser lives very close to the warehouse so I drive down there often, so it was a given that I should volunteer to be a drop off location.

Most rewarding experience volunteering with LHI:
I cry easily, and I’ve done a lot of crying since serving with LHI. I think one of the most touching moments came when I went to an assistant living facility to pick up donations. This sweet, mature couple came out of their building pulling a cart loaded with donations. The people at the center had gotten together and made many kits to be sent to Lebanon. I just felt such an overwhelming gratitude for good people who, even though they could sit back in their older years and just enjoy life, were still giving of themselves to help people that they will never know.  I had to stop the car and just bawl!

What have you learned since volunteering with LHI? Has your perspective changed? 
Serving with LHI has opened my eyes even more to the goodness of people.  I knew there were good people doing good things.  I've seen it many times. And, I have been one of those people that has been blessed by the goodness of others. On three different times in my life, I've had needed a place to stay. I was a single mom who had left Florida and moved to Utah. Total strangers took me and my son in, helped me to find a job and a place to live. Although my situation does not compare to what the refugees are going through, I was homeless and needed help from others. One of my favorite scriptures is from Matthew 25:35 "For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye game me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in."