Parliament Today.....

Was in Parliament this afternoon for the APPG Friends of Syria meeting... I like to keep updated to be able to understand all the pain of the refugees... I was able to submit a couple of reports from Dante who is in great pain for his motherland. 

I have been asking for help with funding and my desire to get to back to Eleonas camp to help Boshra with her baby... Got some interest so hope we can all find a way.  

I got an email from the Europe House here in the UK. Whilst they see all I am doing and commend the work, it is the same situation I have shared with you. There are funds in the EU pot but only for organisations... not individual carer/befrienders... they suggest crowd funding but as you know readers I have a gofundme link to donate.... see side margin of the blog.. 

I am meeting with the Refugee council on Friday and next week hope to meet up with a member of the RCM to see how we can work together on this project too.. 

Please contact me with any ideas on fundraising... thanks 

This project is my life for the rest of my life... and we have lives to rebuild so be part of the story with me...  familylinkuptogether AT gmail.com 

🍃🌸🍃 ´ 🍃🌸🍃

Europe House

I had an amazingly interesting afternoon yesterday at the Europe House here in London where there was a debate on Brexit and Trade.... You may be wondering what has this to do with my family link up project.  Well as I have demonstrated in this blog this project is by the very nature of it helping me learn so much about the wider global politics and issues.  I need to keep my eye on so many aspects that can affect the refugees in both positive and negative ways. The major positive way is I constantly see is the project can help link up local traders in host countries and help to stimulate business.  If I have the raw funds available I can purchase from local traders goods that the refugees need.... I can cross fertilize business by raising awareness on products available here in the UK and out in the host countries.    So I needed to know how Brexit will affect trading both exchange in the EU remainder states and outside the EU...... For example: We have in Turkey the Work Permit offered refugees and in this it not only permits applying for work but the possibility of setting up a business.... so there needs to be an overall market awareness... I have some business graduates in among the refugee communities I give support too.. Boshra is a graduate in Business Admin and is always observant of the needs of Greece... All we need is language development in the multitude of languages that the refugees are exposed to in the host countries and from international helpers.  We have amazing skills and knowledge resources within our refugee communities and need to weave into the host communities for the good of those communities... We can turn this overall situation around to make what is perceived as burden of refugees into a positive benefit... 

I got a lot of respect from presenters and audience that I spoke to about my project in our networking mingling... I will pursue some of the helpful guidance to funding...... I continue to look for sponsors too... Please note my links to traders on this blog are a demonstration but not a remunerative deal... This I need to pursue as I pick up more readership traffic to this blog..... I need to look at advertising and profiling traders as a form of income... but for now I am totally reliant on donations and fund-raising efforts.......

I personally get excited at seeing all the member states flags together as we can work together, stand tall together and with this become strong....to problem solve and stimulate trade together ... I did not vote for Brexit but I think surely we can still have healthy links.

This post seems to be fitting for me to show you this amazing success story from a Syrian refugee Razan Alsous, here in the UK that has started up a business making traditional Syrian cheese from our local dairy farmers in Yorkshire.. Both Razan and her husband are graduates and have put their knowledge and desire for the home cheese into a way to rebuild their lives in the host country that of our UK.....Look the business has taken the attention of Princess Anne in recognition and support of this entrepreneurial spirit....
You can read more on my cupofteasharecare blog ... a new blog to take over from my old hydrate blog... where I have a mix of stories... 

New Life in Yorkshire success....

Here is the link to Razan Yorkshire Dama Cheese

http://yorkshiredamacheese.co.uk/

National Hug Day

It was National Hug day on the 21st Jan as I keep seeing photos coming up in my facebook newsfeed.  So makes me think of my hugs in Eleonas Camp ... I really do miss being with all the families in residence there...... So miss them all... 

Been good today as I emailed the UNHCR here in London to update on all I am doing to try to get some funds to get back to the camp for the new birth due beg March.  Able to share some ideas and the feedback from the Foreign Office.... So frustrating as all can see I am passionate about this project and have a lot to offer..... but it is just getting the pathway to some funding for me...  It was good for the office to ring me back... I do welcome the emotional support I get from the UNHCR here......  

I have left a message on my MPs voicemail too today to ask again for an appointment to discuss all...... it is just he is so busy in his Shadow Chancellor role........

Was good to get respect from the UNHCR on the online courses I am studying while grounded here in the UK......Readers well worth you looking at the coursera.org site ..... I am enjoying some free courses...... 

Now I have passed Human Rights & Open Societies with Utrecht Uni

I am also studying:-  

International Law with Leiden Uni 
Childrens Rights with Geneva Uni

and all from my sofa with my lap top here in West London...!

So maybe over 60yrs but my CV is seriously building good......

I await short listing for some paid jobs applied for.....

I also have been working online with Dante to develop his CV and he has applied for some work in Turkey now work permits are possible for refugees... 

so wishing him luck on this....

In the meantime you can help me with my gofundme and contact me with ideas on fund-raising or sponsorship....

Many thanks to my readers.. 

Growing.....

Remember this little bundle that decided to come along after my return flight to the UK.... All week been expecting his mama to be knocking at the door to say she was in labour when I was in the camp.. 

Then the day I was to return the early backache and signs started...




My little Princess Leen looks like a potential midwife with this bundle in her arms and looking so confident... look well if she does become a Midwife like great aunt MarMar......

I have just got this picture of this little man now in the cabin with his mum that is visiting Boshra in the cabin...... 

The womenfolk do this keep and eye on one another and I really really miss being part of the community. Though thank goodness for facebook and skype to keep in touch. 


I still am looking for funding to get back out to help with Boshras baby.... please can you help with the gofundme appeal... if you are having problems with that site let me know as it does feel strange I have lots of readers but no donations for months.....

Let me know if you have any fund-raising suggestions, or grants that you think I can apply for to help me with this project as it truly is my life..... 
familylinkuptogether AT gmail.com
Spotted some bargains the other day in Uxbridge a newborn suit for the
newbaby to come and a dress and leggings of Princess Leen
who of course will be big sister!

Carer/befriender

Foreign Office - image from 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/albedo/2956402180/in/photostream/

Today I received an email from the Foreign Office in reply to my email to ask for recognition of carer/befrienders that are helping refugees with various projects.  I was requesting that my Family Link Up project be given value and direct me to some help for funding.  Sadly the email does not address this plea direct rather simply narrates their overall concern for refugees and how a large pot of funds has been given to help with their support en masse. So all my contacting of EU parliament, our UK parliament and Foreign Office is simply saying funds are available but not recognising individual carer/befrienders to be able to apply for some of that funding. 

I continue to get my project recognised and continue to look for grants, sponsors, trade link up initiatives, fundraising and donations.  As I highlighted to the Foreign Office I evidence all I do and write and submit reports to the UNHCR in London. 

I am desperate to go to Eleonas camp to be with Boshra for the birth of her second child and have approached the Royal College of Midwifery to see if this over 60 retired RN RM could return to practice to earn again.  There is possibility and all I need is a trust to help me and to be occupational health checked.  But there was some interest in my project and we have some ideas on the burner... more on that when the ideas develop.

I also got a call from Amaya's mum yesterday the brave mother that donated her daughters clothes and neonatal cargo after her loss. See my archive posts to follow that story and my posts in the gofundme to show how I did get the donation to Athens. Bless her there is another mother that has suffered a loss and she too would like to donate the clothes and neonatal equipment left.... But I need funding to get this sent out & for me to also go out.  Amaya's mum is brainstorming on ideas how we can help me get over the lack of funding problem.  As I am a direct link up and work with care and compassion and report all I do and audit my impact of support. 

So my dear readers I am really needing donations and ideas on how to fund this project that is my life now.

Even today one of the LBH council housing workers came for the yearly update on my Sheltered bungalow and she could see me come alive when I told her all I am doing and my love for Princess Leen.... she loved seeing the photos... So the council need to think on how I can get recognised for this project and be given the financial dignity to continue this work... 

Hand to Hand Link Up 

Book Donation

 Lovely surprise parcel today of some Turkish children's book donation from PanMacMillan - well pleased and lovely selection. But I really love the interactive books so great to get the children engaged..... Shown this donation to Dante and he is well pleased and suggest we get them to IMPR Humanitarian in Sanilurfa for their schools work and mother and child groups. They are perfect for the Syrian refugee children that need to learn the host country language of Turkish.   So I will get these out and we can show them being read as soon as received.  
I am still looking for funding for postage, cargo distribution and for travel to the camps.  If you are having trouble with the gofundme site please let me know as static at £85 and need much more for project.... 


here is my email for the project to contact me direct. familylinkuptogetherATgmail.com

Needed NOW!

Sure wish I had had enough funds that day to purchase all the knitted socks and gloves in this shop in Antalya in summer!!  I knew they would be needed in the harsh winter months but did not have the funds to buy at the time.  You can see how it would have given the trader some help too..... as there he was with a shop full of things that I needed buy the refugees.... and he needed to feed his family with his profit margin on sales.  All I needed was the Turkish Lira to be able to strike a deal...... 

It is still possible to get local woollen goods now.... if you can help with donations to the gofundme appeal... I can get the funds out to Dante for him to buy in the local markets where he is in South East Turkey to help the community he is in.... he cares for all the refugees around him..... so I know this will be a hand to hand link up and he will provide photo evidence of those in need receiving them.   We are a hand to hand link up... All we need are the funds to manoeuvre our heart and intention into action. Many thanks 

URGENT NEED WINTER FUEL

Snow and bitter cold in Turkey photo from 

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/snow-snarls-traffic

URGENT CALL FOR HELP - Dante has made me aware of the need for funds to get wood bundles for the wood burners they have in their accommodation. The wood bundles are available in the local market where he is in Turkey but the bundles costly and much is needed to keep warm.  I urgently need some funds to respond to this call to help many of the refugees in the area.  I have informed IMPR Humantarian and our UNHCR London office BUT, if I could get some funding I can get this direct to the need and also they can get more warm clothes, bedding and some good food to keep warm.  I can evidence all I do and I would be most grateful for any donations in the gofundme appeal to help the overall goals of this Family Link Up Project.  

Many thanks Marjorie  

Dual Language Story Books

Got these from Uxbridge Library to further research as love the idea of dual language stories. Perfect for the children in the camps as well in all schools around the world. I love the way there are stories from all cultures that are then told in dual language.... 

One major observation of the children in Eleonas camp is that they so readily absorb and use languages that are spoken around them... so a perfect time to introduce such books and expand on this natural process of early development language learning.....

If I can get funds for my project will look at getting a deal on a batch of these books......for both Greece camps and those in Turkey too........More to help us become a true Global family of understanding and sharing with one another...

Market Researching

Been market researching in Waterstones on Childrens books... I have an idea for a series you see to help fund-raise for my link up project.. and did submit to an literary agent before Christmas... she likes the idea but not bowled over enough to take me on as my agent...... so need to look how to bowl some agent over. Shame I have replied to tell her that my local Waterstones will give me good promotion as a local writer and the Brunel University creative writing dept would look at supporting the series with a foreward.....

Love these interactive books as fits with an idea I have......

So keep going Lady Marjorie ... we will win...

Cardigan

Been to Carole's handknit stall today in Uxbridge and got a little baby cardigan for Boshra new baby on the way... thought this a gender neutral one and the cross over front extra warmth. Carol loves her updates on the refugee family... and she has been getting more interested and alarmed in the news from Syria..... she has the full impact of why families fled for safety..... I have to let her know if I am able to get some funds to go out for the birth as she will have some more bits and pieces for me... and I have an eye on a lovely baby shawl too....... I can do so much if only I can get the funds.......and it such a lovely feeling to link folk up.......and us all be a global family....


lool has you can see Lulu Blanche had to inspect what I had got..... 

Happy New Year

Been a busy day today - I have been action planning and emailing round to parliament both UK and EU to see if I can get any funding as so so wish to be with Boshra when she has the new baby......... then looked in my facebook chat and got these pictures .... the women folk together in the cabin today and sent me updates on their babies......... babies I could have ended up delivering when I was last there .... if you remember from previous posts when I was privileged to stay in the camp I slept each night in clothes just in case a knock came to the door for Sr Marjorie to help with a labouring mother.... :-) 

Then got these photos in below of my Princess and her mum...  I have dressed them up in collage cards online app.... fun to do...... So lovely for some of my facebook friends to post messages of love for this project.   I have met up with more carer/befrienders like myself on facebook and we really do need recognizing with help for funding to do this work, as projects of linking families are our lives..... and certainly this project and this family are my life for the rest of my life..........So in the action planning is to meet up in London and go lobbying our MPs together..... 

Been good to share these photos with Dante and chat about the family and he can now send them to his mother and father ... so for me that feels a grandma to grandma link up...... I can imagine the pain of not being all together as I feel this too..... My family here in the UK love updates on the project... My daughter tries to raise awareness of the need for funding for me to keep this project going........ Many thanks if you can help on the gofundme and message me with any offers of help.....