Symi Solidarity - Friendly Faces

Travelling with small children can be stressful at the best of times. Imagine what it must be like when you have had a frightening and dangerous journey from a war-torn land and the road ahead is paved with uncertainty?

'Look madam, this is my son. We love you!'

'We love Greek people, madam, thank you.'

'We did it!

Relieved to be safely on Symi.

A group of 42 Syrian men, women and children, including a pregnant woman with her husband, arrived on Symi earlier this week.  These photographs were taken by local business woman, Fotini Kiriakidi, who took bottles of water up to the new arrivals and have been circulated widely on Facebook.  As you can see, the situation on Symi is very different to that depicted in the media concerning Kos and Lesvos.

When refugees arrive on the island they report to the police station and are held in custody by the police and coastguard for 24 hours while their paperwork is being processed. They are then given documentation to show the ferry company which enables them to book ferry tickets to continue their onward journey.  Most leave on the Blue Star ferry to Piraeus on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Let us never lose sight of our common humanity.

Regards,
Adriana