Yesterday, we visited the refugee guesthouses on the island of Lesvos. We're back again today because we noticed something else that needed fixing - there were no curtains. Most of us are used to having privacy when we want it. It's not that you don't want to see your neighbors, it's more that you'd like to choose when you do. But imagine not having that choice everywhere in your home. We wanted to do something to give these newly arrived refugees some privacy. So we put curtains up! The little pops of color really brightened the place up! Now there was privacy, some character, and a true homey feeling to the guesthouses. The curtains from today and rugs from yesterday may not seem like they'd have much of an impact. But now, these families will be able to close the curtains at night, or open them to let the light in. And that simple act, that we too often take for granted, can make all the difference. … [Read more...] about Closing the Curtains

When you picture the Greek Islands, what do you see? For most, white-roofed beautiful houses, warm air and the bright shining come to mind. This is very true in the summer. The winter, however, can be a different story. During the colder months even the Greek Islands can get cold, wet, and drop below freezing. And on the island of Lesvos, the guesthouses where refugees stay needed a bit of a face lift to make them suitable for winter. For Day 29, we took the first step toward making that happen. The floors of the Lesvos guesthouses are all tile, and if you've ever walked on cold bathroom tile in the middle of winter, you know exactly why this is a problem! It's COLD! And for refugees who are sometimes missing even the basics, sitting or walking on cold tile is sure to be uncomfortable. The solution was simple: rugs! The rugs make the floors softer, warmer, and cozier. “Mum, look this is like the one we had at home!” a 7-year-old girl from Syria exclaimed. The … [Read more...] about Snug as a Bug in a Rug