A “normal” day on Lesvos with Europe Cares at the Paréa Center:
8:30 a.m. – The day begins. Today is September 14, 2023 and I’m staying in the Stelp apartment, a shared flat for 4 people in the middle of Mytilini. Together with my 3 flatmates, we get ready for the day.
9:00 a.m. – Departure from the Stelp WG. I set off on my rented bike towards the Paréa Center, which is about 20 minutes by bike outside Mytilini.
9:30 a.m. – Morning meeting. Over a small breakfast together, the tasks of the day are discussed and information is provided on the current political situation. Various workshops are offered every day, from music sessions and volleyball tournaments to gardening, English lessons, legal advice and psychological support. A total of eleven different organizations are active at the Paréa Center.
10:00 a.m. – The Paréa Center opens to the public. My job in the Facility Team was to keep the Paréa Center technically running. During my time on Lesvos, the main work consisted of repairing seating and creating shaded areas.
1 p.m. – Food distribution. In addition to hot chocolate, tea and coffee, lunch is served daily. Once all the guests have been provided with food, we volunteers eat. We usually have rice or pasta with vegetables, lentils or chickpeas.
3 p.m. – The Paréa Center closes for the people. We use the next hour to tidy up and prepare for the next day.
4 p.m. – On the way home, plans are made for the evening program. A swim or dinner together in a Greek taverna – there are always plenty of options to keep you from getting bored.
9 p.m.– Together with other volunteers, we round off the evening with an after-work drink.
Afterword:
Even if the services offered at the Paréa Center cannot stop the injustice that is happening to people, it still creates a place to rest, to distract oneself, to laugh and to recharge one’s batteries. A friend said to me: “You know, lives may not be saved here in Paréa – but hearts are saved. You meet people with humanity.”
