Lavinia Leaves - Interview with our Kid's Activities and Welfare Coordinator
Lavinia joined Samos Volunteers February 25, 2019, and has been with the NGO for nearly a year. First, as a volunteer, later, as the Welfare and Kid's Activities Coordinator. This is her story.
Lavinia started working for an NGO in Istanbul in 2015, where she learned about the emergency situation on the Greek Aegean islands through Syrian friends that had fled their homeland under the threat of war. During the same year, the situation escalated quickly and was declared an emergency by UNHCR. At its zenith, more than 1 million asylum seekers and migrants would cross the Greek borders in 2015 and early 2016. Meanwhile, a friend had gone over to Lesvos to help. 'She told me about her work there,' Lavinia recalls, 'while I was sitting in Turkey. I remember thinking, 'I am so close, I have to do something.'
'My friend and I raised funds to provide emergency aid, and went to Lesvos together in 2015 and 2016.'
Aid delivery then was less organised and professional than it is currently. People would go to the islands on their own accord and get into contact with organisations on the ground once there. 'I worked night shifts in Moria Camp for an organisation called Better Days for Moria. During the day we either worked in the warehouses, which were massive and filled with boxes to the ceiling with unsorted stuff. It was insane. Or we would cook food and pack it up to distribute it in the night.'
'We stayed three weeks on Lesvos. It was very intense.'
Her studies in psychology were waiting for her in Germany, but it was difficult to sit still after the poignant experience on the Greek island. Shortly upon her arrival home, Lavinia started working with asylum seekers in Germany. 'We founded a group for female asylum seekers in a village close to where I was studying. While the women did yoga, I looked after their kids. I was also engaged with the No Border Network and various projects with asylum seekers. All these projects couldn't keep me in Germany for long. I always knew that I wanted to go back to Greece and help where help was most needed, and went as soon as I could - I handed in my master's thesis on a Thursday and arrived on Samos the Sunday after.'
The plan was to stay for five weeks on Samos and travel afterwards, in order to enjoy a period without obligations after years of school and university. Plans change. 'I've always thought that I'll stay as long as I have something more to give, and that's what I did. I cancelled my travel plans.'
The feeling that made her change her mind and plans is not easily put into words. 'It somehow clicked. It was the right place for me, to invest my energy. A lot of help was needed. After five weeks I felt I had just started. I felt good working with Samos Volunteers. Why would I want to go travelling if it is learning, helping people and personal growth I am after, I thought. I could do that so much better on Samos.'
'At Samos Volunteers, I volunteered two and half months, during which I slowly grew into the role of children's activities coordinator. We organised kid's activities twice a day in the jungle, I led and trained the team so they felt prepared to work with kids.'
'Ninety screaming kids', she adds, laughingly.
Work on the ground is demanding, exhausting and stressful. Volunteers work six days per week with people who live in extremely challenging conditions. For many volunteers, it is the first time they work in a humanitarian crisis, it is the first time they witness the difficulties faced by asylum seekers in first person. It affects us all strongly. Lavinia's background as a psychologist proved useful. 'I thought it was important to support our volunteers, and so I developed the role of Welfare Coordinator. I facilitated one-on-one support for our volunteers, leaving chats and workshops on welfare.'
On Samos, emotions are sharpened and intensified. Both the work here as well was the feelings it evokes are more intense. The little good moments are blissful and beautiful, but difficulties seem insurmountable. The fire in October, during which a part of the Samos Hotspot burned down, was one of those challenging moments. 'It was something we just couldn't prepare for. It was a huge catastrophe and we had no idea how far its impact would reach. It was difficult for all volunteers, but as a Welfare Coordinator, you are responsible for the welfare of the team. That's a heavy burden during an emergency. It was an intense moment, but I learned a lot then and there. I'm proud of the team that it worked out so well.'
Working with children was both exhilarating and draining. It was positive to see them develop, to see that they can play, to see that they have and like to show their skills and talents. Kids that normally would never play together formed new groups. Slowly it dawns upon you that can only do so much, that most kids should go to school instead of living in the camp. 'It is heartbreaking to see that they do not get the support they deserve as children. They do not have what a child should have. No shelter, no clothing, no hygiene, no education. I felt powerless that I could not change these things.'
Twice per day Lavinia and the kid's activities team would go up to play and organise activities for the children. They went around the jungle and scream 'ROLY POLY!!' Children would come running to the playground. Some mornings they were surprised by a group of children waiting at the meeting place, ready to play. 'They were already playing and singing together and had taken over the structure that we tried to implement. It worked even when we were not there.'
'We were not needed any more!' she adds with a satisfied smile.
When the kid's activities were moved to the basement in the Alpha Centre, the activities changed, though structures were still in place, which created little moments of empowerment for kids. 'That was beautiful to see,' Lavinia confirms.
Alpha grew more and more into a community for her. 'I love Alpha as a place. Often, on the timeless sunny days, at the end of the day, you can feel everyone is relaxed and positive, people are making jokes, you recognise so many faces, built many connections. It is a good atmosphere, it feels like community. The Christmas days in Alpha were very busy, mayhem even, but with the team we managed to create a beautiful atmosphere. Every one was so grateful for those nice days.'
A peak moment was the talent show in the old amphitheatre in Vathy on World Refugee Day. 'Finally we had a platform where many people could find an outlet. And there were so many talented people! Singing, dancing, acting, playing an instrument – it created such a feeling of togetherness.'
A moment of introspection passes when asked for advice for new volunteers. 'Everybody has to find their own way. No one knows exactly what is right and wrong. Try to be mindful, try to do the best work you can possibly do. You can learn so much here, from everybody, from the volunteers, from the people that come to Alpha daily. Try to take that all in. You give a lot, but you get so much back. I've learned more here than anywhere else, including six years of studying and all the places I have worked.'