Mother to Mother help

Well today I fly out to Athens with the bag of donated baby clothes and on facebook met up with another volunteer Kerrie who will be meeting me in Athens on her way to Thessalonika in the week. One of the families she is looking after needs baby clothes with a new baby due soon...... So what Boshra and me will do is put some aside for her to pick up - the families in our camp will get some and then this family in that Kerrie is looking after too...... Mother to Mother help with a Grandmother bringing the clothes to help.... me....! :-) Cannot wait to show you all the photos of this to show you this is a direct link up project of help......

New Fiver Pledge

image from:  http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/14539726.Hampshire_gets_its_hands_on_first_plastic_fivers/

Oh brilliant idea going round on the net..... to donate your first new fiver to good cause.... to a charity or a struggling friend that needs it...... what a lovely gesture to launch this new polymer designed fiver......

So if you would like to help my project then this would be wonderful..... there is a lot that can be done with lots of fivers donated.... not only this family link but the people in their community too.......and we can evidence direct link up of the donation and the help it is giving...... sometimes you can feel distant to a charity donation - but with Family Link Up we can show how you help direct hand to hand..... be part of the story..... with thanks from us all to you...... Click on Gofundme to donate.......and we will acknowledge this and show you want we get to help rebuild lives....... 

learn more about the new fiver https://www.thenewfiver.co.uk/

Grab bag for the camp

Had a lovely donation of some first aid materials. bandages, dressings and plasters..... and today found this bargain case just £9.99 in a sale so kitted up as a grab bag in emergency for the camp........ thanks to the donor of this .... I have some left over for me to send to Turkey too..... excellent thought thanks...

YEA SAFE in Athens

my call for help has led to a kind heart email from a resident of Athens we have the cargo safe in a local apartement and been invited to go round on Sunday for coffee eats and to collect it... Yea problem solved and Mohammed will help me collect it and distribute it..... 

Mouse Magic Money Machine

Ask me what I have been doing this evening... well it has been an amazing evening..... it all started actually yesterday with Pengu one of my cats bringing in a mouse catch and running under my bed with it...... When I was chasing the cat and mouse like Tom & Jerry I found a box I had forgotten about full of coins some old some new some foreign........ So this evening been round to my bank that opens late - Metro in Uxbridge and with a cup of coffee and one of the desks sorted out the coins then put in them in the Magic Money machine..... well folks there was £16.20 for the funds .....

So got me thinking - the Metro banks have M shaped collection boxes for spare coins to collect for your savings..... do you think those of you in and around London would like to grab a M collector and perhaps dedicate your coins to this project Family Link up .....?  if you feel yea can do that for Marjorie message me and I can give you the account for this to go into....or simply donate in the gofundme....... 

Tonight been sat in the bank and talking with staff about the need to get a register charity status as I know I am sluggish with donations at the moment but I really can feel this project will take off to be amazing...it already is amazing an my life ... but more will happen... .with lots of link ups..... I have a great link up appointment for when I am back from Athens - more on this later! Watch this space...! 

Tonight saw the sister of the mother that donated the neonatal cargo and clothes - spooky connection as the cargo arrived in Athens on what would have been the first birthday of the little girl...that passed on.  

I cannot wait to get the photos of all in place for her family to see how much this is helping others... 

SOS HELP REQUIRED

HELP SOS MEGA HELP NEEDED THE CONTACT THE VICAR THAT WAS TO RECEIVE THIS CARGO HAS GONE AWAY ON AN URGENT MEETING IN POLAND ON THE REFUGEE CRISIS.... the Doctors of the World say they are unable to take the full cargo but just need the formula feed. I have asked UNHCR for help with receipt ......but not heard from Athens team .....From tomorrow if this is not taken out of the depot and to a delivery address it will 

cost 7euros/kg/day to store 

and I am needing help to get the funds to pay for the cargo crossing of this and other boxes of neonatal equipment that has now arrived in Athens..... it is a donated cargo from bereft mother and I feel guardian of her grief.... she wanted this to go to the refugees and paeds treating sick babies....... Many thanks I know it is difficult financially for us all in these days of politically induced austerity but every little helps and if you wish donate funds direct to the cargo company message me and I will give their email and payment details...... thank you so much....I will be in Athens over the weekend for the week..... so can sort it all out when there. My refugees have asked if it could be delivered direct to the camp but security have declined........ 

Ornis Bird learning

photo from http://filnorewoods.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/blue-tit.html

Marjorie you are asking why a photo of a blue tit this morning on the posting. Read on you will see how my mind works....

It is at times like this that you admire ornithologist that not only study birds but capture them with photos..... just had two beautiful Blue Tits and a chaffinch on my Buddlea Shrub loool outside my kitchen window.... but they were all too twitchy quick, zip zapping from branch to branch .... so no chance to zoom and capture..... then they were all risking it with two cats in this household.......!! :-( they had to be quick to get the bugs and off...given the council has been hacking down some of the trees and shrubs near by they have to chance new places to feed now... ohhhh if only councils were eco-friendly and biologists........The birds were so so beautiful but also now feeling we are moving to winter months.... 
You see I am a biologist first and foremost and a keen gardener so all the time I am watching the seasons and this is what makes me think of preparing the refugees for the winter months ahead..... I need to be sure they have warm clothing and good food for the challenging weather ahead.... and medications to relieve symptoms of colds and flu..... Already out in Turkey Dante and his community are feeling colds coming on as the weather is changing from warm summer to the cooler autumn days.   In our daily life there is the wider rhythm of the yearly cycle of seasons and each bring its need to keep well...all require some form of shelter and the appropriate clothing.... of course food and fluids.....so we really need to look after our families that are displaced through this horrendous war.

Oh some Greek learning for next week ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. The word "ornithology" derives from the ancient Greek ὄρνις ornis ("bird") and λόγος logos ("rationale" or "explanation"). "ς" so now we can determine that is a "s" sound ohhh and look the lambda λ for the "l" in Logos..... I am deciphering this scientific formula language hhhhhh I am the same with the Arabic I can sit and work it out but not speak the darn thing.....I have to get my ears attuned to the sounds and the word recognition..then speak it - but it is a case of needing to be immersed in the language to do this.

Whilst love is the communicator to connect us all no matter the language spoken.....all the time I am trying to be language conscious to pick up words to help seal rapports with locals. This is me no matter where I travel I like to show respect and try to learn....and besides it is fun to learn new languages........ The children in the camps are the perfect age to pick up on the sounds of the different languages without the logos need to explain and bog down with grammar. Our early learning is sounds and context driven and quite amazing how we learn meaning and then use in our expression of needs.  The language centre of our brain quite fascinating.

Neonatal Cargo to arrive Wednesday

DHL have done good the neonatal cargo will arrive at the depot in Athens Wednesday morning and they will ring Fr Bradshaw to get it to the church for Mohammed to help sort out... and I will join in on Sunday morning when I am in Athens too....... I need some help with the invoice if you could donate to help me settle this bill will be great. This is the invoice but I have screen captured the pdf and cropped my address off as this is being loaded to the internet......... we will be showing photo evidence of it arrived in Athens and our distribution to the paeds ............I will show you I am a direct link up ... this project is a link up to help direct..... thank you for your support.

For those of you that are following the story this is the neonatal cargo that the brave bereaved mother gave me as the local hospital would not take it back after the death of her baby from an incurable genetic disorder.  She wanted this to be of use to the refugees and welcomed the chance to get this direct to those in need.  I have all the baby clothes too but they will go with me on the flight this weekend. 

Paddington Station today

Been down in Paddington Station this morning helping to collect for the London Air Ambulance.  Sent a photo to little Leen as she likes her Paddington Bear I took last time.... She will be fascinated that he is all over the place hhhhh

But my refugee family would be helping in such events and do as much as they can to help others.  Boshra is a Business Administrator and Mohammed is an IT consultant.... they have skills to help out a lot with any charities or companies. We will be discussing work permits in Greece when I am out next week and I will try to find out more as I have for those in Turkey.   Our London Air Ambulance fundraising team love hearing about my family link up..

if you want to donate to the London Air Ambulance work to save lives then follow this link - and read up more..... 

https://londonsairambulance.co.uk/

LOOK LOOK READERS just in now 14.30hrs GMT a photo of my princess at the cabin door with her beloved Paddington in the Athens camp. Mama sent in response to my photos of today... :-) 

Paper Boat Project

Found this article in the Guardian from last year.  I think we should do this again.. 

"Tucked away in bus stops, on trains and at pedestrian crossings across UK cities and towns, Bern O’Donoghue’s paper boat art project is challenging the use of derogatory language and misinformation about refugees, migrants and immigrants"

" In order to challenge the use of derogatory language and misinformation about refugees, migrants and immigrants, O’Donoghue has created the art projec tRefugees Crossing, asking people to put fact filled paper boats in places where people travel and congregate. “We all need to help these people and engage the government to take a more compassionate position. Each paper boat has a fact about refugees on them. I’d like the boats to be seen in towns and cities across the UK, to remind people that refugees need and deserve our help.”....."

read more in the link to the article  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/11/they-need-and-deserve-our-help-introducing-the-refugee-crossing-art-project

I am drawn to this photo from the article and find it a brilliant placing of Look Both Ways at crossing.  We need not to look the other way but look both ways to look at the reason for the need to flee for safety, we need to look within ourselves what would we do if faced with the same nightmares .....we need to look all ways on how to rebuild lives and gain peace in the world and eradication of poverty too. Poverty can be a reason to flee the pain of that poverty...... and poverty in the host country can cause hostilities to the added perceived burden of refugees and migrants.  So we need to look at our global society and stop wars, stop conflicts, stop poverty and get our world leaders to care for all citizens in this world. We need to be a Global Family caring for one another and this planet that sustains us all.  We need to look with respect for one another and this planet.  It is no good criticizing the consequences of failed leaders but a need to take a look at the way society is built to cause these problems so we can reframe and modify to prevent the problems.. We need to look now in love and peace and harmony.  This is possible if it is allowed to be possible....... I am moving closer to the end of my life journey but we have to look to save self destruction and ensure a good healthy planet and a healthy global society for us now, for our kids, for our grandkids and for our great grandkids.   We cannot have them looking back on us and seeing how we bitterly failed to support and care for one another..... surely!   

Reflective this morning

Proud to wear my UNHCR band from yesterdays walk ... as soon as the London team saw me was hugs and Marj wear your band for us.... For sure amazing team and the support you give me and my family link up ..... as I look at this photo I feel a little moved when I think of all the babies my hands and arms have seen in the world and held and cared for..... Miss my midwifery and that privilege of seeing new life in the world......

This poster touched me yesterday as yes we want peace in the world. To be a global family in peace.

Message to the marchers yesterday in London:
Thank you for all your kind words of support on my Syrian family link up project as I walked with you all. I chatted with my family members last night both in Turkey and Greece and they send their thanks for all you are doing. It is a good job I am out in Athens next week as Boshra is feeling unsure about an interview for a relocation so I will be with her and the family for this to oversee what is being planned for them. I was concerned she is saying little Leen is losing weight so will be able to assess the situation and get her to the Doctors of the World for us to action plan if needs be. We can eat well together while I am there too.....and lots of love to help... .Please help me as you can you can be part of the story as I update on this project and I can help the others in the community too through my family. Thanks Shukran

I talked to many of the marchers yesterday highlighting that we have two types of situations with the children in the camps.  Those that are traumatised by being in the war and all the anxiety of fleeing in dreadful circumstances. We have those that have been born in the camps that are like little lights of happiness untainted by the war, that are so happy as babies and toddlers.  But as think on this situation that Boshra tells me about I wonder if now Leen is picking up on the anxiety of her mama....

I am so glad I have booked this trip to get out to be with them and assess the situation and link in to what is needed to help.  

March in London

Joined the March today in London for the refugees... found Paddington in Parliament square Princess Leen will love this photo she likes Paddington bear.... Yes the sign in the photo below says it is a simple choice really for us all.. Choose Love ... 

 
We all met up at Marble Arch so many people and organisations then we marched down through Whitehall to Parliament Square for a rally. 

My flyer is flying well and joined the march for cameras to capture.  Managed to talk to quite a few people about the project.  Met some good contacts that have been and continue to work in Athens and the Greek islands to help out. Looking forward to setting some links to their work on this blog too.

Today was a family march with children joining in and pet dogs too!  The kids it feels quite tear jerking that they are caring about the refugee kids and worry about them.  They should all be playing together in a happy world.  As a grandmother that is all we ask of generations to learn to live and love together.  

These are just a couple of the pet dogs from today but all seemed to know they were doing something important and walking with us with pride. 

Visitors Growing

Great to see over 200 visitors to my Family Link up information hub blog........hope people finding the links useful to help understand the needs of the refugees in the world. I just hope I can get more response to my project in donations while I await grants and sponsors to see the value of my project. I have one week to travelling out to spend time in the Athens camp to help but also to feel and experience what it is like to live in the camp for that time. We will have time out for a family shopping in the city and we will be linking up with an Anglican Expat vicar to help distribute the neonatal feed and equipment that has been donated....... Plus time at the Doctors of the World Athens Clinic who have sent an email to say they are looking forward to seeing me again...... So a busy time for me but an enjoyable one to help my family link up......plus help the others in their community... Please note I am not government funded this is a personal mission from what little pension I received with a link up to the UNHCR to report my activities. Thank you if you can help me help others.... click on the gofundme Fundraising link to help in the side margin of this blog.  

Mayor to Mayor Link up

I love this picture of the Mayor of London and Mayor of Chicago linking up 

This is what I see could happen in my Syrian Family link up project that as I link them up I can link up Turkey Greece and Germany.... through business link up and City Mayoral interest for us all to help one another with problem solving and business stimulation.....but sadly not got through Sadiq Khan team to get an appointment to discuss my project and plans.... and not had a response from the Athens mayor too.... The local mayor just simply wishes me well.....I will try to see the Mayor of Athens team when out next week to give support to the refugee camp and UNHCR & DOW teams......But a City to City Mayor Consortium is one way for us to move forward positively regardless of Brexit and its effects yet to be felt. We have a long term problem to rebuild lives when cities are already hard pressed with pre-existing social and economic problems.  So lets link up in strength to help. 
https://www.gofundme.com/2k34fes.

Thank you

Thank you to my anon donor today much appreciated and gives me a boost of energy too. 

As with all those that help me you will become part of the story as this project develops ...and know that your help reaches hand to hand to those in need of rebuilding their lives.  

Enjoy my updates as I spend time with the family and make sure that they are helped, plus those around them in their camp community. 

Language of Love

This project is helping me build on my languages....so stimulating and challenging. It is a perfect time for the children in the camp to absorb languages without all the bogging down of grammar... it is the sponge effect of being babes and repeating sounds which carry meaning in context.  

I am enjoying sorting out my meems and jeems of Arabic and my pi and sigmas of Greek.  When in Turkey I pick up on the Turkish as I go about my day there and from some that Dante my refugee has learnt by exposure to the sounds.  I was working on a powerpoint presentation when I was recently in Turkey in a Turkish package and that was fun learning 
Yeni =new.... 
Slayt= Slide.... 
Kaydet= Save... lool that is being familiar with powerpoint package and by process of elimination you fathom out the commands meaning.      Of course I have to brush up on my German too when I skype and chat with the brother in Germany as he is fluent now.  

But the main language is the language of love that heart to heart link up is key to all.  

Image from http://www.annalindhfoundation.org/translation-mapping

Getting more and more familiar with Athens as I workout the places we need to go to on this next trip... and Great to get an email from the Doctors of the World eager to see me again.  Sadly today I have been talking with Birte from the UNHCR and while there is much admiration for this project we cannot seem to get our hands on some funding for me as an independent carer.   From my research reading there has been a free up of 83 million Euros from the EU that has been distributed to 8 organisations.  But the problem is getting some just a few thousand for this project would be wonderful.  So I am reliant on the donations and if anyone has any interest in sponsoring me or can lead me to grants that I could apply for please let me know. My email marjoriesyardATgmail.com   I am awaiting the Arts Council Grant that I have applied for.   I have written to the EU for guidance too.   I hope the value of this project is soon seen and there is help to build up funds for spin off projects such as student work experience secondments. 

Productive Day In Parliament

Good APPG Friends of Syria meeting in Committee Room 16 today. The room packed with those interested in trying to problem solve to lasting peace.  Was a very goosepimples touching minute silence to remember Jo Cox MP- she is sadly missed by us all and from the refugees out in Turkey they sent a message through me how much it hurt them to lose her. The felt they had lost the biggest friend and voice in the world.  There is a request from Dante and his community of refugees in South Turkey to set up a centre for them in memory of her.  So I was able to pass on the idea for consideration. 

Speakers gave good input and good questions and comments shared... just wish we had more time but some of us went off in huddles later to share further.  My flyer came in useful to raise awareness of my project, its further potential and the need for funding.  I did manage to lobby my MP after the meeting and his PA came to listen to me.. We are planning a local meet up on my return from Athens.  Good to get an interest from a songwriter and also the National Audit members that were on site displaying their promotion stand. 

Dear Jo we will endeavor to carry on in your spirit and ensure refugees are protected and respected - Most of all as I am trying to show the world in my project are families - families that simply want and need to heal and rebuild their lives in safety and peace.  We need to be evolutionary adult now to be able to be a Global Family working together for the good of all.  

Committee Meeting today

Up early to get ready to go to Parliament today attending a committee meeting on Syria and refugees. 

Fun in the lead up to Christmas

I have come up with a fun idea to help with the donations. All that donate to the gofundme Family Link Up Project -  up to the 1st November will be entered into a draw for a free gift of NYR Deliciously Ella duo pack - Rose Lime & Cucumber facial wash and moisturiser with also a Geranium & Orange hand cream.... The draw will take place on 5th November and the winner will be contacted for delivery address with love from me to you... in thanks.....

University link potential

Attended the Brunel University open day over the weekend and made me think this is another major potential of this Link Up project to network with Universities too.  I would love to develop this project and its funding to help fund students for work experience with refugees and to stimulate other spin of projects too..... For example the Students of Edinburgh university have developed Solar charging stations for mobile phones to help the refugees. Their mobile phones are crucial to keep in contact with friends and family and to seek help. This solar charging initiative helped to stop this dangerous practice out of necessity  in their situation  - look wiring into street lamp posts. 
 
And you can read more on this project with with this link https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/project-elpis-mobile-environment#/

So lots of potential if we all link up to turn this situation around and help to rebuild lives...I have just rung Brunel to get an appointment to discuss this further.. While in Athens will make contact with their University too... and also pursue my contact with the Athens Mayor. 

I am in parliament in the morning in a committee meeting for the APPG Friends of Syria so will see also if I can get some time to discuss this be it at the next meeting scheduled or a separate discussion. In the afternoon will Lobby my MP and Shadow Chancellor too John McDonnell.  

Be part of the developing story and help with donations for me to build this project for the benefit of all... Many thanks Marjorie 

Trade Dynamics

This is what I would like to do for example - when we were in Antalya Turkey  there was this shop with thick hand knitted socks and gloves.  If I had the funds I could have bought the whole lot for the refugee camp in Turkey.  The shop keeper has things we need but no trade turnaround and I could give that turnaround in bulk for the refugees.  One happy tradesman and lots of happy warm fingers and toes in the camp..... and wacky fun too to cheer everyone up.!!

Same with the wonderful shoe shop too, the trader was not getting the turnover yet had an amazing stock of shoes and sandals in soft lamb leather. They are mega comfy too with cushioned insole that sort of makes you bounce with every step.. lol ... Dante was able to get some good strong and comfortable sandals so he was sorted at least.   The trader can of course give a good deal on bulk purchases.... so it helps to soften the edges of camp and community and turns burden into benefit .... benefit for all.  This is what I would like to demonstrate to you all that donate funds to me.  I can evidence all I do and get for the refugee family and the refugees in the camps and communities that need the help.  Turkey has introduced a welfare card and is making a pathway for work permits... But it is still a struggle for the refugees, so continued extra help is required to rebuild lives that have lost so much. 

Flyer Flying round London

My laminated flyer to promote my project and gofundme is coming in useful to get people talking about the project.  I have had a number of people really interested and taken iphone photos of this to promote too.  I have been on TV cameras....... But sadly at this moment of writing this post had no real response with donations and yet lots of shares.  I hope that soon it will gain response and momentum.  I was discussing the situation with an elderly lady and she was saying it is admirable what you are doing Marjorie but many of us are unsure where the Brexit will lead us so even those with some funds to spare are hanging on to await the full impact...  A good point she makes.  I have promoted this in Evelina Childrens Hospital when I went to one of their charity sales with clothes £5 each.... and I got a nice tunic top for Boshra.   I have taken the flyer to the RCN job fair and some nursing colleagues promised to promote this too.  I will follow through some of the contact cards this week... But I will be in Parliament on Tuesday for a meeting and will be in the Refugee mega rally in Parliament Square on Saturday too .... So if you spot me come and talk with me... also my email is on the flyer if you have any fundraising ideas, or know of any grants to apply for or any sponsors that maybe interested in helping, then get in touch with me.  Do note my clustrmap on this blog I am picking up viewing traffic from around the world.... So if you wish to promote any goods get in touch for me to discuss.... The fee will be of course a donation to the project.........