For the past few weeks, I have been volunteering in the refugee camps in Thessanoliki, Greece. The situation in these military-run camps has touched me deeply, as well as the spirit and endurance of the people who are now forced to squat in army tents in run-down factory buildings, with great uncertainty looming over their heads every day.

The situation in the military camps is desperate and life there revolves around endless hours of waiting and frustrations. Half of the population is under 18 years old and many of these children have not been to school for up to 3 years.

The aim of this fundraising is to buy books to form a library or a learning centre where classes can be held and where the refugees, young and old, are encouraged to educate themselves, teach others, study english or any other language as a peaceful get-a-way from the oppressing non-stimulating life in the camp.

The wonderful Al Saqi Bookshop in Westbourne Grove is supporting this project by providing the material with a generous discount. The money raised will be spent as follows:
- Educational material in Arabic/English, including all levels of reading, writing and maths.
- Educational books in the area of sociology, biology, history and finance.
- Novels and children books in Arabic

As I child, I remember the hours I spent with my nose pressed against a page of a book, the feeling of being someone else, somewhere else and the freedom that followed these experiences. The power of education and the free mind cannot be disputed - that is what I want to bring back to Greece to these wonderful people who have been set aside by war, politics and people beyond their control.

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