know we will do our best to ensure a good outcome.
Claire Peach (editor of the Parea sti Mani website) came up with the idea
of presenting our work in diagram form, which is a perfect way to present
the extent of our network, and the variety of ways we are involved with
the wider volunteer groups and civil protection authorities, as well the
local community. Gaia has become a hub for community welfare, a way for
people to give help, as well as to get help. Through the ‘network’, resources
can be collected and distributed quickly, when and where needed.
Our social welfare depot is constantly in use. Food and other items donated to us, are quickly distributed. In our municipality alone, more than
250 families benefited during 2014. Gaia and the W Mani municipality are
working together in the West Mani welfare team and I am on the regional
committee for the EU Food and Welfare program. Through Gaia’s resources,
both physical and human, these organisations have been able to help with
welfare support throughout the Messinia region and beyond.
A huge ‘thank you’ to all the people both here in Greece, and further
afield, who make all this possible. Without your support and generous
donations, we could do very little. Our dedicated volunteers are only part of
the picture. The equipment, vehicles and supplies donated by other civil
protection and welfare groups have been vital for our work, but we rely on
you, the general public for funding to keep our vehicles on the road, and for
food, clothing and medical supplies, to stock our welfare store. Please continue
to support us, so that through our ‘network’, we can continue to offer
communities a sense of security and solidarity..
But it is a 24/7 challenge ...... even while writing these lines, a few calls came
through (it’s 6 am) first one is from Gargalianoi town - the Police Chief, who
we have worked with on some cases when he was in Kardamili and Messini,
asked for help in a missing person case, then the Peloponnese Regional Fire
Chief requested our team on Thursday at an earthquake exercise in Kalamata
school, and at the same time I must be in Gythion, where the pre-fire season
meeting for Lakonia is to be held. Somehow we will manage it all
I am proud to be a part of it.
So, here is a list of the groups/organisations I can think of at the moment. It
is not an exhaustive list - we have brief links with many others, and apologies if
I have missed off anyone important.
No wonder my phone never stops ringing!...
INSIDE the MANI64