Funding

Thank you for all your blog visits and I have reached 634 international visits to date this month with some good background stats on page views.  I am grateful of your interest and I see some are regular visitors for daily updates so that is heartwarming.  I continue to need funding as you will see the gofundme is static on £85 so I realised today when i was seeing another fund raising appeal that some of you may be more confident or already registered with the just giving platform.... So you will see in the margin of this blog a link to a newly set up account with the justgiving... I really need to settle the neonatal bill and am stonewalled at the moment.   Both operational for which you are comfortable with.....and will be sent to my Project bank account to be used directly for the needs. All I do is evidenced

As you can see those of us in the northern hemisphere as we look out today and change our clocks back tonight we are moving into the winter months.   I still need to get the family and surrounding communities prepared for winter.  As I am unable to travel to both Athens and Turkey without funds I will need help with sending parcels and funds to reach them.  All that is sent will be evidence to confirm that I am a direct link up.... 

But I would like funding to fly out again as I am going crazy alone here in my Sheltered bungalow in a quiet cul de sac when I could be out helping in the camps and addressing all the issues that are there.  

This project is my life.    I am continuing to research on the issues and search for grants and sponsors and long term funding.  This project has great potential and lots of caring, learning and sharing at its core. 

While I am grounded in the UK I can offer 

• To  present a talk on the project with a donation to fund raising......with this also help raise awareness of a cause for your organisation or group, as we blog and promote the event on social media.
• Those wishing to improve conversational English I do hold a TEFL cert and can meet up to help you. I am in London we can have cafe table lessons in great places...So contact me if you need me to help you - fee is donation to the fundraising.  
• Do you need any help with a project of yours for fee of donation to my project.
• Is there any paid work that you think I could help with. 
• Do you have concert gig where I can come along to promote my project and we do a joint social media promotion. 
• As grandmother I can babysit too :-) so contact me fee donation to the Family Link Project. 

Any ideas for fundraising please contact me email marjoriesyardATgmail.com 

Let me know if you want a page promotion on this blog as the visitor stats build up. Fee donation to the Family Link Up project. 

Earth Angel

I hope I get to share more time with this amazing Earth Angel ... this amazing Greek lady was one of the many that rescued the refugees from overturned boats and help to save many from drowning. Was often the first safe hand to reach out and grip... Her work and her life now is befriending the refugees in the camps. She is a strong support for sure.  I just hope we can meet up again.   InshAllah we will.  God willing... 

Doorstep

Love sitting on the doorstep with Leen and sharing breakfast or some chocolate and just watching the others in the camp pass by.... 

Soft Toy Promo

 Love the Green Turtles for a promo today in the Open Access conference today. Needless to say one will be on its way to a certain little lady in Athens...... and got one for Turkey too......

More to Link Up

Another stimulating morning at my local university.  Brunel is well and truly a dynamic place.  The morning was looking at Open Access Research Data and Publishing.  I am seeing so much potential for our refugees communities around the globe to be able to get their lives back on track.  So much we can do to turn the whole situation around and to benefit all and rebuild lives.  We have amazing academics among the refugee population and so much in potential project sharing.  

Some great sharing with the company stands and some very inspiring lectures.  More for me to share later as I look more in depth at all that I was learning. 

Grant Research

Been busy in Uxbridge Library today trawling through the reference book on Grants.... as I really do need this project to be active with good funding.  There is a lot that can be done with the project to rebuild lives and turn around the situation to be a positive for all involved.  We have loads of material for books both fact and for the creation of fictional novels.  Certainly got an idea for a series of childrens books on the Adventures of Princess Leen..  All my family members are academics and have good minds on them.  This is the craziness of the situation we have a lot of talent, skills and well educated people among the refugees.  While I have been doing this Dante has been busy in Turkey helping a young lad Ahmed that we got introduced to earlier in the year.... a sad case of a keen sportsman that is now a triple amputee.... There are so many lives we are touching with this project and so much we can do to help rebuild those lives.  I know our project is one of many in the world but this is my life now for sure... befriending families is an amazingly empowering experience for all - the befriender and the those being befriended... 

Hope to be airborne and out in the field again soon 

to follow on my support 

and 

assessment of needs.  

Always a hand to hand direct link up.

SOS

SOS - I am really in a panic now that I need to pay the cargo bill for the neonatal cargo shipment to Athens.  Please can visitors to my blog help with clicking on the gofundme link in the side margin........ The invoice has to be cleared by the end of the month.... The company did a brilliant job and does a lot of humanitarian aid trips.... out of respect for their help I would like to settle this bill.... 

heterochromic

Ohhh all my posts today from watching This Morning programme and seeing their facebook page around pets with quirky looks...... They have had Bob The street cat on and have been showing twin cats with different coloured eyes = heterochromic genetic anomaly.  Reminded me of this cat in the Eleonas Camp that one of the residents is caring for.... So many of the camp residents are taking cats and kittens as pets for comfort.... and because they miss their pets from home before the war.... Some cats got lost in the war with the airstrikes in Syria..... and some have been rescued by the white helmets..... there is a chap in Aleppo caring for the rescued cats..... 

The Syrian community I have met are cat lovers and our Princess Leen is so gentle and caring for any cat she comes across.... The neighbours in the next cabin are caring for a young kitten and she likes to visit each day for updates.  So Sweet... 

So missing the camp with the amazing community of residents.... Hope you can help me get back and also to return to the family community in Turkey too..... This project is my life now of Family Link Up..........

One Two Peekaboo!

Do you remember me getting this book from the local garden centre? this was a real winner with Leen and the other kids in the camp. One Two Peekaboo was being said with lots of giggles. They love the interactive design.  So much fun from this one book.  I am writing some stories from our adventures so hope to have our books published one day for all to share.

Missing the camp

I miss this little lady and the time we have together... She teaches me and I teach her and we play with the other children in the camp. 

The kids need to have a normal as possible family life..... and have fun playing and learning.......and be safe which they are with great teams guarding and caring for them....

I love the community spirit of the camp.

Cannot wait to be able to fly out again to have time there with the community and my family link up project.  I cannot imagine now my life without this project Family Link Up.

A Page Ad for you???

I may not be able to demonstrate impressive donations response to my gofundme appeal as yet.  But I do have some good visitor stats to this blog and other blogs that lead into this one.  

So if anyone would like to rent a page to advertise a business or a conference, or an event or project they would like help with then contact me - marjoriesyardATgmail.com  AT = @  the fee would be a donation to this Family Link Up project 

One of the observations I have made is that locals in both Athens and Turkey have great products but not much business turn over, this is very reflective too of our business environment here in the UK..... so I feel through this project we could link up businesses too...  

With the Brexit unsure plans to be made - universities are worried in the UK for their foreign student market.  I feel with this Family Link up project we can link up universities and the academic ability among the refugees to come up with some innovative projects. 

So please contact me to see how we can network together and link up to completely turn round this situation for the benefit of all... and rebuild lives and a future.

Some examples of goods I have seen along the way....
Turkish fun cushion covers among masses of wonderful textiles, carpets and ceramics and of course amazing hotels and holiday resorts to enjoy. 

In Greece

Love this elegant shop near the ice cream parlour in Athens. I enjoy their olive oil soaps. the Greeks have a love of honey an some amazing varieties... and pastries and cakes that are so mega yummy. Of course some great holiday destinations both in Athens and out on the islands.  

We in the UK have a wonderful market of goods particularly in local arts and crafts to share with the international market too. We have wonderful holiday destinations and a great tourist industry to share.

Find a way through

Need to find a way through the need for funding of this project.  I really cannot imagine my life without this family and helping their surrounding community.  I went through a panic this weekend thinking of never being able to get out to the family and having more time with my princess and the other members of the family.  The only block is funding! I enjoy being out in the field and look forward to more time in Athens in the camp, also more time in Turkey and next spring the mission to fly with Mjed from Germany to have time with his sister and niece in Athens. This will be amazing to do.

I still need to pay the neonatal cargo bill - I wish I was a woman of substance to be able to self fund this without any call for help with donations. But until I can be successful with grants and sponsors I need that help for donations. You can click on the gofundme link to donate as you can. If anyone can offer me some paid work to work around this project that will be great too!

I have managed to send out another parcel of clothes for Leen to the camp and this feels a good link up now as if I can send my love direct.  I need to get some Islamic maternity clothes for Boshra...I have been writing to clothing companies and asked the Sisters magazine if they would write up an article on this project and appeal for help.

But exciting today I have put a parcel in the post for Dante with a copy of the book Writing Local Thinking Global- this is good for him to show his work to the local university with a view to further academic studies... He is more than capable of studying for a MA and PhD ... with a good thinking mind.  We will need funds for courses however. 

This project has a aim to rebuild lives! Can you help and be part of the story and project.  Many Thanks Marjorie 

Photos of Light

This morning fresh in from Eleonas Camp - my little Princess joining in the school at the end of the row of cabins....

This school is set up every morning by the volunteers..... 

We went to this when I was in the camp with her and showed her all that the children were doing. 


So good to see her joining in now ... lol and looks so so sweet.  


Cannot wait to get out again to have time with them all.

Well timed photos too as this morning woke to a message of despair from Dante in Turkey.  I need to get out to see him too and help with the projects he has on the burner with his community.  So much to be done and so many needs to action plan for..... 


But this is what happens in the post traumatic shock and the situation they are all in.... 

There will be waves of optimism and hope then exhaustion and the drop into despair.....

We really do need to rebuild lives..... and while I see organisation and governments trying in these areas..... this project of befriending is so important to keep all hope that this is only temporary - we will rebuild lives to a secure future.  Love wins....

I am so grateful for the photos coming in from the camp today from Boshra for me to send to Dante to show this little noor, a little but grand noor........ our princess Leen is yes a light of hope that we can and will rebuild the family. One day it will happen that I will show photos of them all stood together.  

Help me keep this project alive in this light and hope..... through this there are so many that can be helped too.... Each place where the family are scattered has hubs of people to help...... The family link up project as great potential to help many. 

I am excited to hear from all the students that are inspired by this project and hope we can all network together to rebuild lives and hope and give dreams back again to aim for...... 

Shukran Thank you..... for your support to come and read this post Shukran thank you for any funds you can donate or time and energy .... WE will win.. xx

New Fiver pledge

Really nice day today and been surrounded by some dynamic eager students in SOAS university at a meeting. On my way called in the local cafe and lo and behold got a new fiver in my change.... So as is the trend on the internet by some kind souls to donate your first new fiver to a good cause... Mine has gone into this project to help the family link up. Looking forward to more help soon too... Remember I still need to settle the bill for the neonatal cargo..... and there are more warm clothes needed for both Athens camp and the community where Dante is... he has just been to see is other sister in the Suleman Shah camp. Please help as you can. This is a definite hand to hand link up of help and support. Many thanks Marjorie x

another parcel collecting

Spotted some nice bargain clothes for Princess Leen so another parcel to go soon... Lulu Blanche one of my cats inspecting all.... Leen loves meow meows as she calls them.  Bless! 

New Flyer

Got a new promotional flyer laminated today and working this to get some funding.... as I am desperate to settle the DHL neonatal cargo bill and need the funds for this and more winter goods for the families in Athens and Turkey for winter.

I received a nice email from the EU president's team the President is aware of the work I am doing - though I need to update him on the last trip to Athens. There is no offer of funding as yet for this but a suggestion I link up with my local MEP to discuss, direct and advise me.....

Got some interest in Waterstones and the Uxbridge library to give a talk in the New Year as the led up to Christmas is manic now...... even before our main book accepted for publication the talk would yield marketing in related subject books.  Travel to politics....

Got to keep going as this is my life now and love the family the people I meet and the projects learning curves for me too..... Thanks for you visits great to have had 366 to date - my background stats are impressive to the blog.... just please need help with funds....

Been looking a wellies for the kids in the camp as Eleonas will flood or have too much to resist splash around in puddles in the winter rains..... and also do not forget we have the community Dante is helping in Turkey too to help for winter.   There are bargains about here in the UK and each locality we just need the funds to purchase and get bulk buy deals.......

Great selection in Clarks shoe shop Uxbridge... 

Great Aunt Parcel lol

Getting another parcel of goodies together to send as was so cute to see Leens happy proud face to get mail.... bless her so spotting things in the town ...nice to be proxy grandma for her grandmother that cannot have time with her and simply be like a Great Aunt to them all.  Creating special memories from childhood is important too..  Was lovely to see that this photo of Leen is now a profile pic on her Uncles facebook in Germany ...so the link up is truly working folks..... I feel this is good service we could all do is befriend a refugee family to link them up and simply be a family..... as we truly are a Global Family the way mankind should be.... putting Kind back into manKIND.... Love wins....

yea my parcel arrived at the camp

So happy today got the photos in from the camp of Princess Leen receiving the parcel I had sent to the camp.  This tester parcel is good now I know we can send things out for them and the neighbour residents of the camp.  So bargain shoes and slippers sent from Hayes Retail park and some printed photos from the photoshop in Uxbridge... and mama got a nice camisole from the Avon lady... and we are connected with love and care and compassion... I emailed the camp too to make them aware of the parcel to come and the contents for security to be OK with. Note as I did today with one on one talking about the family now refer to the camp refugees as RESIDENTS as that is what they are and we have an amazing community with lots of helpers to guide on the rebuild of lives. Um looks like they managed to get some warm carpet from the Sunday bargain souk (market) outside the camp... time to prepare for winter folks..... ideally they need wellies and waterproofs as the camp and road does flood in heavy rains...  I hope you can help with donations as you can see I am an hand to hand connection your help gets direct to those in need.  Thank you x

Brunel Britain in Europe debate

Excellent morning and lunch networking with Brunel University. Some amazing speakers from the university with some very good and valid points put forward on the pending Brexit.  We had a look from all angles from the effects on the political scene, to law, to trade, to banking, security, mobility and education and the effect on culture and the need to listen to the youth on how they wish to shape their future.  Many of the youths had voted to remain so find this new situation a worry.  It was good to have Dr Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos Director Britain in Europe Think Tank to give an opening and summary speech.  I was glad to have some time with him in the lunch too and talk about my impressions from Eleonas Camp in Athens.  

I was so reassured with the positive way my thoughts and observations were received in Q&A comment time.... That my family link up I see such an amazing opportunity to link up traders, universities, hospital teams and of course tap into the amazing resources the refugee have. That the wealth of education, skills and expertise as to be recognised in the refugee community. All they need is to transpose their knowledge into the host country language and of course the global language of English.  It was recognised how the young children in the camps were in an advantageous position as their age was perfect for the absorption of all the languages exposed too. 

So an instant market for language studies and teaching. 

Wonderful to know that the university already has an outreach programme for students to have time in the camps too.  

A real feeling of connection today and that we can if we are all united in the positive drive turn the situation around to benefit us all..... 

It was upsetting how many EU nationals working and studying in the UK now Brexit as been voted for feel vulnerable and unsure.  Our Chamber of Commerce representative for Hillingdon praised Brunel for showing how much a global community it was and how well it worked.

Brilliant buffet lunch too and an opportunity for us all to network.  So very positive day today... Thanks Brunel Uni staff for all the work.... and we sure need a follow on debate as the story unfolds on Brexit... 

I have today found out about this pilot scheme by the Home Office for EU nationals to register https://www.gov.uk/eea-registration-certificate/overview