Storm Update: Helping
As further storm hit Greece (as you’ve probably seen on the news – terrible) and there is talk of more to come, Symi continues to say, ‘Well, that was that now let’s deal with this. We didn’t lose anyone, and our neighbours and families need us. So, let’s get on with it.’
The emergency services, town hall, local community… Everyone is doing a great job clearing up the mess, that’s mainly in the harbour. There was also damage up in Horio, with at least one house suffering severe damage. The town hall keeps us up to date with what roads are open/closed and other news through the announcement system, Facebook fills us in with photos, and the general message services between individuals keep friends informed about where help is needed and what the rest of us can do. If you are not on Symi, you can still contribute.
Here are three ways you can help from a distance.
Solidarity Symi
Collecting money through the registered charity. Money and other donations will be passed out, by them, to where it is needed most. Check their website for how you can donate.
Next Stop Symi
A charity that works with Solidarity Symi to bring aid to refugees and others in need in the Dodecanes, including Symi. Next Stop Symi sent me a message:
“Next Stop Symi has agreed to accept donations on behalf of Solidarity Symi. For UK people it means we can get an extra 25% from the UK government.”
Their site is here: http://www.nextstopsymi.org/
But if you want to donate via the UK use this link: https://www.mydonate.bt.com/charities/nextstopsymi
Anna Panton has started a fundraising campaign specifically for the Symi schools. The nursery school in Yialos was particularly badly hit, and everything inside was ruined. Money from this campaign will assist all schools on the island.
Here is the website with more information: https://www.gofundme.com/storm-repair-for-symi-schools
I’ll share more news as I hear it.
On a personal level, I am donating a percentage of my Symi book sales to the village high school. The new ‘Symi, Stuff and Nonsense’ is now available on Kindle here. The print version should be available in the next couple of days. Donations will also be made from any sales of ‘Symi 85600’, ‘Carry On up the Kali Strata’ and ‘Village View’ which you can find linked from my author page here.
Symi Dream Facebook page for photos: https://www.facebook.com/SymiDream/
