Gerry Callaghan
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015 Cycled from Clonmacnoise in Ireland, France, Camino Frances, Camino Finisterre.
What did you do when you got back from the Camino?
I'm home after a week spent building a women's and children's library and refuge on the Jungle camp in Calais. Over 7000 refugees live on a garbage dump outside the port, attempting to get to the UK.
Every muscle I have is aching, I'd forgotten just how hard it is to be a builder's labourer! The mental pain is much worse though.
It was intense, both wonderful and terrible at the same time.
There were wonderful people, both refugees and the volunteers who work day and night to help. There are terrible conditions, 'streets' ankle deep in mud, people attempting to sleep in damaged and leaking tents, overflowing and inadequate toilets, with donated food (never enough) supplied by volunteers. There are 8-meter high fences topped with razor wire and riot police who periodically lob tear gas into the camp.
And the people!
Abdullah, from Afghanistan, came up to me and gave me a hug. He says "You remind me of my father. I wish I could go arm-in-arm with him to the restaurant to have a cup of tea together. But he was killed three years ago. I have been walking since then."
I thought of my own son who will be coming home for Christmas in a few days. It's difficult to cut a piece of wood with your eyes full of tears.
If you want to read more see http://www.calaidipedia.co.uk/
The situation in the refugee camps scattered across Europe is a disgrace to our common humanity. Camino brothers and sisters please help in any way you can!
I'm home after a week spent building a women's and children's library and refuge on the Jungle camp in Calais. Over 7000 refugees live on a garbage dump outside the port, attempting to get to the UK.
Every muscle I have is aching, I'd forgotten just how hard it is to be a builder's labourer! The mental pain is much worse though.
It was intense, both wonderful and terrible at the same time.
There were wonderful people, both refugees and the volunteers who work day and night to help. There are terrible conditions, 'streets' ankle deep in mud, people attempting to sleep in damaged and leaking tents, overflowing and inadequate toilets, with donated food (never enough) supplied by volunteers. There are 8-meter high fences topped with razor wire and riot police who periodically lob tear gas into the camp.
And the people!
Abdullah, from Afghanistan, came up to me and gave me a hug. He says "You remind me of my father. I wish I could go arm-in-arm with him to the restaurant to have a cup of tea together. But he was killed three years ago. I have been walking since then."
I thought of my own son who will be coming home for Christmas in a few days. It's difficult to cut a piece of wood with your eyes full of tears.
If you want to read more see http://www.calaidipedia.co.uk/
The situation in the refugee camps scattered across Europe is a disgrace to our common humanity. Camino brothers and sisters please help in any way you can!