Thank you for your interest in contributing to our efforts for the refugees, whether by traveling as a volunteer or supporting us financially. We have tried to gather all the necessary information in this document so that it will be easier to figure out how to contribute.
Please check if you can find the answers to your questions here, before contacting us. Note that the situation can change rapidly and the information may become out of date. Please also note that prices in hotels are just guidelines. If you still have questions after reading through this documents, you can contact us at frivillig@drapenihavet.no regarding volunteering, or post@drapenihavet.no for general questions.
Press should contact presse@drapenihavet.no.
IMPORTANT! As a rule, we have a lower age limit of 25 years to participate as a volunteer with A Drop in Ocean. If you are younger; please contact us before booking so we can consider how you best can contribute.
Contents:
1 General info before travelling
2 Where are we?
2.1 Lesvos
2.1.1 Book tickets
2.1.2 Hotel
2.1.3 Car rental
2.1.4 What should you bring?
2.1.5 What are the tasks?
2.2 Chios
2.2.1 Book tickets
2.2.2 Hotel
2.2.3 Car rental
2.2.4 What should you bring?
2.2.5 What are the tasks?
2.3 Idomeni
2.3.1 Book tickets
2.3.2 Hotel
2.3.3 Car rental
2.3.4 What are the tasks?
2.4 Athens
2.4.1 Book tickets
2.4.2 Hotel
2.4.3 Car rental
2.4.4 What should you bring?
2.4.5 What are the tasks?
3 Donations
3.1 Financial aid
3.2 Membership
3.3 Collection of clothes and gear
4 After the trip
5 Contribute at home
6 Guidelines and Registration Form
1. General info before you travel.
If you have decided to travel as a volunteer and booked your trip; please fill out the form here. Once we receive your registration form we will place you in a travel group on Facebook where you can connect with others travelling in the same period of time. Remember to check with your doctor whether you should have vaccines. Travelers to Greece do not normally need vaccines other than those included in the Norwegian vaccination program. However, volunteers interact with people from many other countries, and it is possible the doctor will recommend vaccines.
Also remember to have your insurances in order. It is also advisable that you contact your phone operator before you travel to see if you can get a good price on your mobile phone abroad. If you are volunteering for a longer period of time, it may be wise to bring an extra phone and buy a Greek prepaid you can use during your stay.
2. Where are we?
As of today (3/10/16) we are present with volunteer teams on Lesvos, Chios and Idomeni on the border to Macedonia F.Y.R.O.M, and in Athens. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS IN ALL LOCATIONS! You choose where you wish to travel, but feel free to ask us where the need is greatest when you are traveling, if you are unsure where to contribute.
2.1 Lesvos
Lesvos is the third largest island in Greece and has a coastline of 320 km. The island has 90,000 permanent residents, and about 30,000 of those live in the capital Mytilene. Lesvos is located in the Aegean Sea, close to Turkey. At the nearest it is only 5.5 km across. The island’s main sources of income are tourism, olive oil, soap and ouzo.
2.1.1 Booking your flights
A flight to Lesvos normally costs between 3500-4500 if you fly from Oslo. There is usually one stop before coming to Athens. From there you fly with Aegean or Astra to Lesvos / Mytilini. Good search engines for finding tickets are momondo.no or finn.no, alternatively you can book directly on Aegeanair.com. In the summer season Lilleputtreiser charter flights to Lesvos.
We recommend that you book the trip all the way to Lesvos, so you can have the luggage sent all the way. However, it may be a good idea to check the conveyer belt in Athens for your luggage as sometimes the luggage needs to be checked in again.
2.1.1 Hotel
We are located on the north side of Lesvos in an area called Eftalou, near Molyvos. We live by the beach at Molyvos 2. Rooms can be booked on info@molyvos-hotels.com or phone: 302 253 071 512.
2.1.2 Car rental
You will depend on access to a car to be able to contribute as a volunteer on Lesvos. You can certainly share a rental car, but it’s recommended a maximum of 3 per car. One can either rent a car from the airport where there are several rental companies, or hire from Billy who is a local car hire in Molyvos. You can request a pick up / or have your car delivered at the airport.
2.1.3 What should you bring?
For yourself you should bring clothes that allow for easy movement and comfortable shoes. Remember that it’s cold in Greece in the winter so wool and waterproof jacket are something you should bring. In summer it gets hot, but on the islands there is usually a mild breeze. Show consideration when meeting the refugees, they come from other cultures, so avoid dressing too lightly. T-shirt covering the shoulders are fine and shorts should not be too short.
It is wise to have your mobile, passport (for mandatory identification in Greece), money and keys in a fanny pack when working. We have some binoculars and headlights on site, but feel free to bring your own. If you want to bring clothes or other items for the refugees; specific needs will be communicated in the travel groups.
2.1.4 What are the tasks?
When you arrive, the coordinator(s) will give you information and training. You are placed in a team with other volunteers and assigned shifts. We patrol the coast by car around the clock and we have guards in an observation post, where we see large areas of the coastline we cover. We also help with other volunteers around camp Moria, and pending completion of Hotel Hope Center we will also help there. In addition to this we clean the beaches of clothing and lifejackets and we help keep our warehouse in order. Remember that all of these tasks are important and that you may not always be most needed on the beach where the boats arrive.
2.2 Chios
There are about 55,000 people on Chios, which is one of the Aegean islands. This is the island receiving most refugees after Lesvos in 2015. The inhabitants on Chios are very nice, helpful and social. There are very windy conditions on Chios, all year round and it is therefore called “the windy island.” Dress accordingly and remember that the wind is very chilly in the winter.
2.2.1 Booking your flights
A flight to Chios normally costs between 3500-4500 if you fly from Oslo. There is usually one stop before coming to Athens. From there you fly with Aegean or Astra to Chios. Good search engines for finding tickets is momondo.no or finn.no, alternatively you can book directly on Aegeanair.com. In the summer season Lilleputtreiser charter flights to Chios.
We recommend that you book the trip all the way to Chios, so you can have the luggage sent all the way. However, it may be a good idea to check the conveyer belt in Athens for your luggage as sometimes the luggage needs to be checked in again.
2.2.2 Hotel
On Chios we stay at Hotel Sun Village. Panagiotis and Despina are the world’s nicest hosts. The rooms cost around 25 euros per single room per night. You can book the hotel via e-mail: sunvillagegr@yahoo.gr. There are no meals included in the price, but all meals can be ordered at the hotel.
2.2.3 Car rental
You can rent a car at the airport upon arrival or you can get a car delivered to the hotel. Ask the coordinator on site if you prefer to have a car delivered to the hotel. We have made great deals and are charged about 20 euros per day.
2.2.4 What should you bring?
For yourself you should bring clothes that allow for easy movement and comfortable shoes. Remember that it’s cold in Greece in the winter so wool and waterproof jacket are something you should bring. In summer it gets hot, but on the islands there is usually a breeze. Show consideration when meeting the refugees, they come from other cultures, so avoid dressing too lightly. T-shirt covering the shoulders are fine and shorts should not be too short.
It is wise to have your mobile, passport (for mandatory identification in Greece), money and keys in a fanny pack when working. We have some binoculars and headlights on site, but feel free to bring your own. If you want to bring clothes or other items for the refugees; specific needs will be communicated in the travel groups.
2.2.5 What are the tasks?
When you arrive, the coordinator(s) will give you information and training. You are placed in a team with other volunteers and assigned shifts. We patrol the coast by car around the clock and we have guards in an observation post, where we see large areas of the coastline we cover. We also help with food and non-food distributio in the camps Vial, Souda and Dipethe. We are often in the harbor welcoming refugees transported by the Coast Guard. They may have been stranded for some time on uninhabited islands off the coast of Chios.
In addition to this we clean the beaches of clothing and lifejackets and we help keep the warehouse in order.
2.3 Idomeni
Idomeni is located in the region of Kilkis, northern Greece bordering F.Y.R.O.M.
As a result of the closed borders there is a large temporary tent camp here. There are up to 20.000 refugees here at a time and the situation is difficult and ever-changing.
2.3.1 Booking your flights
The easiest way to get to Idomeni is to fly to Thessaloniki. From there on it takes about an hour by car / bus to Idomeni. We recommend comparing prices and booking your flights on momondo.no or finn.no. One must usually have a stopover before arriving at Thessaloniki. Return flights to Thessaloniki cost from 2000 NOK from Oslo.
2.3.2 Hotel
It is difficult to find hotel accommodation in the area. Most hotels are located in a village called Polykastro, which is a 20 minute drive from Idomeni. Because of the difficulty in finding available rooms, the Drop in the Ocean have rented two large apartments where our volunteers can stay for 20 euros per day. The coordinators also live here and this is where information meetings are held. It is important that you notify us as early as possible if you wish to stay here, as there is limited space.
2.3.3 Hire
We have great deals on car hire in Polykastro. Contact the coordinators, and they will help you with contact information.
2.3.4 What should you bring?
For yourself you should bring clothes that allow for easy movement and comfortable shoes. Depending on the weather reports, rain boots are useful as it gets very muddy around the tents in the camp. Bring a headlamp / flashlight and fanny pack for your mobile, passport and money.
When it comes to equipment/clothes for the refugees, we will continuously update travel groups with what you should take if you have any spare luggage space.
2.3.5 What are the tasks?
We are just beginning our work in Idomeni and therefore the job description is ever changing. There are great needs in Idomeni with many hungry people, so we also assist with food and clothes distribution. We also assist with medical expertise when we have volunteers with these skills on site.
2.4 Athens
Athens, Greece’s capital is a city of 5 million people. The historic city center is located around Acropolis. What many do not know is that Athens has many lovely beaches if you take the tram or bus to the south suburbs. Piraeus, where the port is, is really a different city, but it is completely fused with Athens.
2.4.1 Booking your flights
There are many airlines flying to Athens. From April, there is also the chance to find direct flights, costing between 1800 – 3000 NOK. Momondo.no or finn.no are good search engines
2.4.2 Hotel
We recommend staying somewhere near the port in Piraeus, as this is the area we work from. The hotels Acropole, Delifini and Ikaris are budget hotels our volunteers use. The price per room per night is about 25-30 euros per night. An alternative near the historical centre in Athens is The Norwegian Institute Guesthouse. Send them an e-mail: contact@norwinst.gr to check availability.
2.4.3 Hire
In Athens, it is easy to get round using the metro, tram, bus or taxi, so renting a car is not necessary.
2.4.4 What should you bring?
Clothes according to season and comfortable shoes. A fanny pack is convenient for storing your mobile, passport and money.
2.4.5 What are the tasks?
In Athens we help with food and clothing distribution in the port of Piraeus where refugees stay in a temporary tent camp. We are particularly interested in volunteers who speak Arabic and Farsi, as information is an important part of the work in Piraeus.
3. Donations
As an NGO, A Drop in the Ocean depend on support, both in terms of manpower and monetary donations, as well as donations of equipment to use in the field by the volunteers and equipment for the refugees. By becoming a member you will also support our work and provide predictability so that we can work purposefully.
3.1 Financial assistance
If you want to support us financially, the account number is: 1503 67 54 327 / Dråpen i havet. From abroad you can use: IBAN: NO3015036754327 / DNB Bank ASA
Our organization number is: 915990347.
It is also possible to “Vippse” contributions to Dråpen i Havet, or pay via Paypal through our website.
The money we receive goes directly towards purchasing food, clothing, water, sanitation equipment and medicine for the refugees. Also, we use funds to transport equipment to Greece. We also cover travel, accommodation, emergency telephone and car rental for our field coordinators, so that we can have continuity and experienced people at the relevant locations. Starting April 1st 2016, we have an employee in an administrative full-time position in Norway.
3.2 Membership
A drop in the Ocean is a membership organization and it costs 100 NOK per month to be a member. One can also opt for a higher monthly installment. The contributions from our members gives us predictability and allows us to plan future work. As a member you will receive invitations to various events and courses, and you will receive newsletters about 4 times per year. As a member, you also have the possibility to vote at the annual meeting held in the autumn (subject to three months’ membership in advance). You become a member by subscribing here.
3.3 Collection of clothing and accessories
We continually assess the need for collecting clothes, shoes and other equipment for the refugees. When applicable, we will announce this in the Facebook group and the homepage.
4 After your trip
Many volunteers think adjusting to old routines is difficult, having helped so many people in great need. Many are looking for new opportunities to travel again and continue volunteering. This is perfectly natural, and it’s a good idea to be prepared that it may take several weeks before you adjust. Many will probably be forever changed after witnessing the refugees’ struggle for a safer future. We receive only positive feedback from our volunteers, regarding the opportunity to help.
It is useful to share your experiences with those around you whilst volunteering, and your fellow volunteers upon return. It will be easier for them to understand your thoughts and feelings. Yet, some people will want further follow-up and we want to contribute to this. We aim to put together groups with a professional therapist regularly, and this offer is free for those of our volunteers who have been with us in one or more of our destinations. If you wish to take part in a group and one is not set up in your area, please contact us via e-mail.
Feel free to initiate a reunion with volunteers you met on your journey. You meet so many nice people and many of these friendships will continue into the future.
5 Contribute home in Norway
We need more people who can contribute in Norway, mainly in our office at Skøyen. The tasks may include responding to e-mails, finance / accounting, storage, cleaning, marketing etc. Please contact us if you are available for a longer period of time.
6 Guidelines and Registration Form
Thank you for wanting to contribute along with so many other wonderful ‘Drops’. Here you can read our guidelines and to register your trip