“I believe that every human deserves to receive help and to be supported in difficult times no matter where you come from, which skin colour you have, which religion or culture you belong to”, says ASB volunteer Svea Fleckenstein.
I have always wanted to go to a foreign country to explore the culture and experience the different way of living.
Because of this and through a social internship that I completed during tenth grade in a welfare centre, I became aware of the programs of ASB including the refugee camp in Thessaloniki; a project, that deals with an important issue.
I believe that every human deserves to receive help and to be supported in difficult times no matter where you come from, which skin colour you have, which religion or culture you belong to. At the refugee camp in Thessaloniki I am getting to know many different cultures while helping people that have gone a long way to be safe and to find a better life.
My tasks at ASB are diverse. I started my year in October in the office where I got to know the managerial side of the operation and was assigned to help the Programme department, there I was also introduced to the structure behind the ASB refugee camps. I took on more responsibilities as time passed and eventually I was introduced to the team on site and was shown what work they do so that I could assist them in their daily tasks.
On site, I help refugees at the ASB Help Desk but I also assist the ASB team in small tasks that range from fixing a broken sink to improvement of overall living conditions such as helping the WASH team. The ASB WASH team promotes hygiene which is crucial for maintaining a healthy camp and is one of the things I value highly.
During my day I also look at how ASB interpreters help the refugees, because of this I hear how these people made it to Greece and what they had to go through to get here. I am happy that ASB gave me the opportunity to support these people during my work here.
I really have the feeling that while helping others here in Greece I receive gratitude and happiness in return which makes the voluntary work extremely rewarding and I encourage everyone to take part for themselves. This voluntary year truly is an awesome experience that even when it comes to an end for me in February, I will never forget and will always be looking back upon with a smile!