The Sanctuary in Greek Camps activity is driven by a desire to improve the dire human rights situation of asylum seekers trapped in camps on the Greek islands.
‘I lived in camps like Purgatory, more horrible than anywhere else in the world, with winter cold and summer heat. Because I was a refugee, because I did not have a piece of paper called a visa, but
even without a piece of paper, I am a human.‘
Mina, Afghanistan
Our aims are:
Almut has visited Greek camps six times in recent years including Elipida camp in Thessalonki and Pikpa camp in Lesbos.
The teams in these camps provide language classes for adults and children and organise activities such as football, exercise classes, art and crafts. We create kindergarten and entertainment for children and help with supply of food, clothing, shelter. We also provide essential medical and psychosocial support
Almut has spoken at numerous events in Dublin to raise awareness and campaign for human rights for those in Greek camps. Talks in Dublin include a fundraising talk entitled ‘Drop in the Ocean’ in 2017, and a talk in Trinity College Dublin for World Refugee Day 2018.
Further, Almust has contributed to literature with an article in the online Journal Studies of Art and Humanities Sept 2018.
Since March 2020 until the present time online teaching with Students of the camp.
The Camp Pikpa, was sadly closed down by the Greek Authorities on 30 October 2020.
Almut Schlepper
Originally from Berlin, living in Ireland since 1979. Former Lecturer in DIT (now TUD) for Languages and Intercultural Studies. Now retired and working as a Volunteer English teacher.
Berlin, 18 – 2- June 22 Imagine – you write 30 times on a piece of cloth the following information: – a date – a person – origin unknown – cause of death – drowning, somewhere between Libya and Malta.
Hello everybody, I am going to take part in this campaign where we will read the names of 44 660 refugees who drowned in the effort to reach Europe since 1993. The fates of these men, women, children and babies
Dublin City of Sanctuary volunteer and mentor, Almut Schlepper, volunteers with refugees in Greece. Below is an account of Almut’s experiences and impressions. Hello Everybody Hope you are all well in these autumn days. This afternoon, after a morning of
On World Refugee Day, we had the privilege of hearing Almut Schlepper speak about her experience of working in Lesvos in the refugee camp of Pikpa at Trinity College Dublin. Her talk titled ‘Another drop in the ocean’ was an
Dublin City of Sanctuary volunteer and mentor, Almut Schlepper, is volunteering with refugees in Greece for a few weeks. Here is her final letter from Thessaloniki in Winter 2017.. Hello Everybody, Thank you all very much for your positive feedback
Dublin City of Sanctuary volunteer and mentor, Almut Schlepper, is volunteering with refugees in Greece for a few weeks. Here is her second letter from the camp. Hello Everybody, I hope you are all well. Thank you all for your
Dublin City of Sanctuary volunteer and mentor, Almut Schlepper, is volunteering with refugees in Greece for a few weeks. Here is her first account of experiences and impressions. I picked the worst winter for 40 years to come here. The
