‘’Coming here made me realise, that every individual matters’’

Silke Reiter, 36, anthropologist from Austria

This is my most memorable moment…
I am super impressed by the kitchen team. Cooking for so many people in such a tiny place is an incredible task. The kitchen team is so dedicated to their work and they always try to make the best out of everything and they are cooking delicious, nutritious and healthy food.

This struck me the most…
The stories that the people keep telling me about the life in Moria. When I sit down with them, they often start talking to me about what they experience and they show me pictures and videos of it. What especially hits me every time, are the horrible conditions that especially people in the tents have to live in. It is hard for me to deal with their stories, I really can’t imagine how it must be for them, to live there, to go through all of this. Still and nevertheless, when they come to One Happy Family, they have a smile on their face and they are really trying to have a good time! I think, as a volunteer, I can learn a lot from them and it reminds me how privileged we are. 

One Happy Family is…
A lovely place, where people have the possibility to hang out together and have a good time. I think it’s a good way for them to be distracted for a while of what they have been through and get some time out from the life in Moria.

This is what I would like to tell other people…
I think that everyone who has or could find the possibility to volunteer with refugees, should do it. It doesn’t matter if it is back home or somewhere abroad. You will meet the people behind the statistical numbers. This makes it real and you will understand that all of them are humans like you and me. I think it is our responsibility to speak up for those who can’t and give them a voice. We have the power to do so, instead of them. 

My tasks in One Happy Family are…
I help out wherever needed. I help out in most of the projects. The bank, the barber, the tailor, the cafe, etc. I try to help improve whatever I can and also learn from whoever I can, as much as I can.