A change of plans due to a game of chess

"Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights: these are the core values of the EU."

This quote is from the website of the European Union.  In other words: the EU has failed its own core values. 

This morning I was reached by the news that refugees on Lesvos and other islands in the Aegian, are being deported (ok, "shipped"...) to the mainland or back to Turkey. This may, probably will, change my plans going to Lesvos. The 50,000 refugees might not be there when I arrive on Friday. Instead I am looking for other alternatives such as staying in Athens and help in the port, go to Idomeni to help at the barbed wired fences or find a camp on the mainland, such the one in Ritsona (a tiny village with about 300 residents and little support from organizations or financial support), an hour north of Athens. 

Everything has changed - apart from the people who are trapped in a game of chess between Europe and Turkey. They still flee war, terror and misery. 
They haven't changed.
Everyone else has.

Emotional preperations

From the day I booked and purchased my flight tickets, accommodation and car rental, I have lived with my upcoming trip pretty much 24/7. I dream during nights, sometimes I have nightmares when I wake up sweaty and crying because it just got too real, I read up on news, I follow organisations and groups on Facebook and I never miss anything. 

Earlier I have been a bit jealous of people who seem to be so dedicated to something that they live their lives for this dedication and passion. Like Steve, "the crocodile hunter" who with such passion talked about animals, small and big. Or every person who decides to climb the highest mountain in the world. Or journalists and photographers in war whose only wish is to tell the world the truth. Or "the Grizzly Man" who loved his bears so much that he ultimately was killed by one.

I am not sure, but I think I have found something close to this. I can't describe it other than in words like "a deep and honest feeling that I can and want to help people in need". To travel to Lesvos is a huge step that I know will change me as a human being forever. Hopefully to the better.


I think I am a person who seeks "kicks". Not the kick of jumping from cliffs, parachute or off-pist skiing. I seek emotional kicks. Kicks that wake me up in order to feel that I am still a compassionate and empathic human being. Kicks that I can use to challenge my own values and ideas of the world.

This means that I look for emotional challenges. I watch videos, read reports in real-time and I often end up in tears. I am an emotional guy and I am not ashamed of being one. Instead I think that by being emotional I have finally found a purpose with my life - to help others. Since I am a teacher I have also learnt that this also includes my students.

But here I am. Two weeks from departure and what will be the most important week in my life, a week that will define the future course my life will take. I know in fact that this week will be nothing like a holiday on this beautiful island. It will be a week of kicks. Of perspective. Of tears. Of emotions.

I am not afraid of being emotional or feeling sad or even heartbroken. This simply means that I still feel, that I still am human and that I still have a heart.

Dear donators - this is what will happen with your donations!

I am deeply moved by and happy for your donations. As an independent volunteer I pay my own expenses and your donations will up to every penny go to the people in need on Lesvos. I am also happy and thankful to the local Lions Club who will support me with a personal grant of 2000 Sek (230€).

At the moment I have raised 420 USD via my fundraiser at Generosity.com and almost as much by personal donations (bank transfers and Swish). It is truly amazing and it really warms my heart.

There are two scenarios on how your donations will be used:

The first

Collecting enough donations in order to buy and bring a defibrillator, or a "heart starter", to leave to one of the teams working on the beaches or in the camps. There are reports saying that with one of these on every beach, more lives could have been saved. As of now, I am half way to to be able to do this. A portal defibrillator costs about 1500€. 

The second

While a defibrillator saves lives, saved lives must be helped, supported and taken care of. Your donations will go to items such as

- underwear

- medication

- bottled water

- blankets

- tents

A part of the donations might also go to support one of the many teams of hard working volunteers who tirelessly work day and night. 

I won't bring anything from Sweden, instead I will buy everything in local shops and stores. Lesvos is on the verge of bankruptcy this season since tourism is expected to decrease with more than 70%, forcing local businesses to close and lose the so important income. Even the locals (entire Greece) are in need of support and help and if I can help the locals at the same time I help refugees, there's no question about it. 

Thank you again for you kind donations. I will report here on my blog and make sure you know that you have helped people in need.

You can still help by donating. 

Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/jespergoestolesvos

Swish: 076-007 8867 (Jesper Isaksson)

Please let me know if you have any special request on how you wish your donation to be spent. If not, see above. 

With love

Jesper

Why I do it

Yesterday I was interviewed by the local newspaper about my upcoming trip to Lesvos. It was a good interview with good questions. The journalist asked me to explain why I will do this trip. Easy.  But there are three main reasons. Let me explain.

Reason #1:
Millions of people flee from war and destruction and risk their lives in order to reach safety and security. If I can help, why shouldn't I? And I can. It is as simple as that.

Reason #2:
After my trip, that is when the work perhaps starts for real. Because that is when I will return home with a baggage full of experience and memories that I must share. I have to share, I owe it to the refugees, the wonderful and hardworking Greeks on the island and I owe it to myself and the future of the world. The hate towards the foreign, alien and unknown is growing bigger, as is ignorance and intolerance.  A growing lack of empathy and perspective worries me deeply.
  I will return home and I will talk about it and I will fight for open borders as well as open arms and hearts.

Reason #3: 
I am a school teacher. I teach teenagers. Wonderful teenagers who are empathic, understanding and are schooled in the Swedish school system, a system that highlights empathy, respect, democracy and human rights. I want to honor this and I want to make sure that my students will be better adults than us. Because it is not the young who set asylum centers on fire, who beat up refugees, who fire tear gas into crowds with children or build walls to keep the people in need outside.
  I am hopeful when I see my and meet my students. It is my duty as a teacher and an adult with a heart, to make sure they will not change.

Let's be human

The photo you see here, is somewhat iconic to me. 
I have spent almost 200 hours at a shelter for refugees. And I have heard stories to pay forward, that made me cry and I wish that you would as well, if you listen to me. 

Please, let's skip the crap about politics, let's skip the crap about colours. Let's skip the crap about religion and cultures.

Let's be human.