After completing my medical studies, the support of the organisation on-site in Thessaloniki was an instructive, interesting and exciting experience that I would not want to miss. Medical Volunteers International e.V. offers refugees a low-threshold access to medical care, which is especially important for new arrivals, unregistered and/or homeless refugees, because they have limited access to regular care. I find it important to get a picture of the political and everyday situation on the ground and can recommend it to everyone.

I am a paediatric nurse, coming from Germany, Stuttgart and have been to Athens as a volunteer. The work in Greece is very important because otherwise most refugees over there wouldn’t have access to any kind of health system and medical care. With the work in an international team you can expand your mind, get to know wonderful people and achieve a lot with small actions.

I spent 3 weeks in Thessaloniki where I treated displaced refugees with other great volunteers from around the world. The patients, mainly young and male, lived on a deserted construction site or were just travelling through. They had no access to medical care and were dependent on us for medication, medical supplies or referrals to specialist care. Some of the refugees I met became my friends. They are young adults like me hoping for a positive and peaceful future. They don’t deserve to be left alone in the way they are right now.