Reflections of Abdali - our volunteer from Yemen

This blog is written by Abdali, who arrived to Samos in November 2018. About a year ago, he started volunteering with Samos Volunteers, where he mostly works shifts in the Laundry Station and supports the team with translations to and from Arabic. 

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I've asked myself, ‘why do people come here as volunteers and waste their money and time?!’

From the dawn of history we have been victims of systems ... Evil controls us, always passed without punished ... Believing in fake gods or mother nature doesn't help.

I am Abdali from Yemen. Yemen can be considered a rich country, but the barrel of the gun speaks first. The ignorance and the power of corporations destroys everything. Only a few people live in luxury while most others live in bad conditions, suffering from malnutrition and being underprivileged. The war in my country is an inevitable result of this inequality.

From the womb of tragedies were created exceptional people who disagree with and even oppose international systems. These good people spread out to fix the ruin created by bad governments. These people are volunteers. Some of them are going to remote and dangerous places, such as conflict areas, and risk their lives in order to help and rescue people like real gods.

I think that what we need in our Third World is real education and politicians. Our mission as volunteers would be to restore human dignity through promoting health, education and culture. 

On Samos, the first destination for refugees and asylum seekers is the Alpha Centre, for language classes or playing games and to find a place to relax after the adversity they faced.

The Laundry Station gives a valuable service to vulnerable people. They feel happy when they see their clothes are returned to them, warm and washed. I think it is a real help for people.

With the spread of the Coronavirus, humanity will have to face a new challenge. I believe that the power of life will help us overcome this crisis one day.

Thank you to all volunteers from all over the world that lent a hand to humanity. We will engrave your names into our brains forever.