‘They’re not just refugees, they’re normal people...’

A GROUP of students from South Wales have spoken about their experiences of volunteering for a charity in Calais which repairs tents and makes clothes for refugees.

Sophie Congdon, 21, from Cardiff, volunteers with a charity called Sew-Ho which repairs clothes and provides humanitarian aid to refugees across the world. The charity says there are around 1,500 refugees living in desperate conditions and nearly 200 are unaccompanied children.

Sophie’s mum teaches English to asylum seekers and their stories have inspired Sophie to take her own action.

“I have come across some incredible stories of these amazing people overcoming obstacles seeking safety and security. I looked up charities and found Help Refugees and signed up,” she said.

“Life in the camps is tough. We don’t want to waste any donations especially tents, sleeping bags, etc, and Sew-Ho is where donations go to get repaired so they are suitable for redistribution. We also upcycle unusable tents into drawstring bags.

Volunteers say there have been many clearances lately. This when police cordon off areas of the camp, moving people on and confiscating items.

Sophie says these clearances cause “rising tensions and frustrations” between communities in the camps as the situation gets more desparate.

The University of Hertfordshire student added: “I feel as if it has cured me of volunteer arrogance. When you are in a position of stability and working with people who aee vulnerable there is a power dynamic which makes it very easy to give rise to an ‘us and them’ perception.

“Being out in the field and talking to them, getting to know them or kicking a ball around with them (we even taught them a bit of rugby) makes you realise that they are not just refugees, they are normal people.

“They have been so resilient against adversity that I couldn’t even imagine. I have been humbled by the experience and it is an honour to be able to help in any way I can.”

Ned Cosgrove, 22, from Swansea, learned about the situation in Calais through a fellow student and was encouraged to visit the camp.

He said: “It’s taken me a while to get used to the camps, especially with some of the refugees who are of a similar age. However, after the ice is broken, I’m always astonished to see the kindness and generosity of those who have little to give, sharing their tea and offering snacks that they’ve bought with cash which is pretty much non-existent.

“We’re now heading towards winter and the donations for those most in need are dwindling, as are the number of incredible people I am working with, since university starts in less than a month’s time.

“If anyone has some spare time or has found themselves in the same position after university as me, confused as to what to do next, then volunteering and raising donations could give a welcome change of perspective to an ongoing crisis.”

Rachel Davis,23, volunteered in Calais for a week but instantly knew she had to return. She says she dedicated her time to research where her help was most needed.

“What our organisations provide is a semblance of stability. As a volunteer, the work I did was provide basic needs.

“We are a small group of people doing the work of two governments. There needs to be change. Our work as volunteers can only help so much.”