LHI Info Packet

This info packet contains important information that will help you undersatnd what it's like to volunteer at the Serres Greece Community Center. In order for an interview to be established, you have to ackowledge completion of every section.

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LIFTING HANDS INTERNATIONAL: LHI is a small, grassroots organization committed to providing humanitarian aid to refugees. Our vision is to create a world where compassion transcends national, ethnic, religious, or political divides. We are politically neutral and have no religious affiliation, but are passionate about helping refugees wherever they are as well as we can. In particular, we seek to assist populations that have been ignored or underserved. We have various projects around the world.

SERRES, GREECE: Is a lovely city in the north. It has great food, friendly people, historical sites and always-busy coffee houses with locals talking politics. It is not a tourist destination and has a small-town feel. It lies at the base of the gorgeous Vrontous mountain range, making the town quite picturesque and beautiful. Summers are very hot and winters can be a little chilly.

SERRES REFUGGEE CAMPS: While we do not work inside Serres Refugee Camps, here is some important information about them. Serres camps were established in 2016 and are managed by the Greek Government. They are located in the outskirts of Serres and host a population of about 1000 refugees from over  twenty different countries. 

WHAT WE DO: The LHI Refugee Center is located a short walk away from the camps. We have a Female-Friendly Space, Child-Friendly Space, Education Space, Arts and Recreation Space, Community Engagement Program, Professional Development and Logistics Program, library, computers, garden, sports field and more. Our volunteers teach daily classes on a range of subjects and a number of workshops. We also provide regular food, hygiene, and clothing distribution and have a warehouse a mile from the center. Insights and photos from our current activities can be found on our facebook page.

THE SITE & INFRASTRUCTURE: The center is located on a plot of rented farmland. There are five incredibly quality and durable tents, and our team has transformed them into cozy and home-like rooms, complete with insulated walls and floors, solar-powered air conditioning, and beautiful murals and decorations. The site also has a sports field, a garden, and a compost toilet. 

Some wonder at the “rustic” look of our center. This is because local zoning laws forbid structures with permanent roofs, such as containers and isoboxes. Because of this, we build what we are permitted to build. There is a feeling of community and unity throughout the site. 

IS SERRES FOR ME? Serres program is not a crisis response or emergency intervention. If you thrive on being in ‘crisis mode’, Serres might not be the right fit for you. While this isn’t the worst refugee context to work in, there are some difficult days and stressful situations. This being said, the team at LHI takes great care in ensuring the well-being of volunteers and making sure they have a positive experience.

THE FEMALE FRIENDLY SPACE (FFS): Is a place for women to take a break from house and family responsibilities, re-focus on themselves by engaging in activities and connect with one another. It is open for four hours in the afternoon, from Wednesday to Sunday.

We love it when volunteers have additional skills such as arts and crafts, sewing and crochet, but what’s most important is:

• Passion for building communities and safe spaces for women.
• Kindness towards vulnerable women, a positive attitude and an open mind
• Ability to engage with those from different backgrounds, even when a language barrier is present
• Some experience or knowledge  or willingness to learn of gender-related issues in a refugee context 

THE CHILDREN FRIENDLY SPACE (CFS): Is primarily a play based development programme for Early Years Children.  CFS also offers school aged children sports activities, and an After School Club so they can relax and play.  While you do not need any specific skills to work in this space, it is vital that you: 

• Enjoy working with young children / have experience
• Are willing to oversee arts and crafts, sensory play, role-play, and reading and writing
• Are able and willing to lead/participate in outside sports, activities and dancing
• Are patient, kind and bring plenty of energy to the team 

THE EDUCATION PROGRAM (English and German): The main goals of the program is to create a safe space where people can enjoy themselves as well as community building. Many classes are supported by community volunteers who either teach / co-teach or help with essential translation. We offer several levels, from ABC to intermediate. 

• Experience and teacher training preferred 
• Experience in lesson planning and adhering to a curriculum
• Creativity in teaching low literacy classes 
• Attending mandatory teacher training 
• Are patient, creative, and kind to make students feel comfortable and empowered

ARTS AND RECREATION: Encompasses several subjects, such as dance, fitness, yoga, music, sport and visual arts with its purposes being an inclusive place for teenagers and adults to go and to provide psychosocial support. 

In addition to the schedule of classes, we also have a drop-in recreation space where we have games and a range of different activities. There's a lot of space to bring your ideas to this part of the program. 

We already have a strong team of community teachers from the camp but we may ask you to support them with setting up and cleaning their classes, facilitate their class, cover a class or provide new inspiration. 

We ask sometimes that volunteers teach yoga, fitness, music, art and dance. We prefer yoga and fitness teachers to be trained in trauma-informed yoga and fitness. 

MUSIC: Music teachers teach guitar, ukulele, keyboard and tambur (Iraqi instrument). These are group lessons. We also offer 'Music hour' classes which include singing and drums.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: We provide the opportunity for the camp residents to become volunteers for us if they want to. We offer general training about professionalism and safeguarding, and program specific training. This program is of the most importance to us because it gives the residents the opportunity to gain ownership of the community center and to give us insight on what their community wants or prefers. In almost all programs you’ll be working alongside community volunteers which is a great opportunity for them and for you!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Focuses on upskilling members of the community including employability skills such as CV building, interview preparation and computer skills. Through training and workshops residents have the opportunity to learn new things and work on improving their current talents.

DISTRIBUTIONS: Are held weekly and volunteers have the opportunity to help out. Not all of the residents of the camp receive food support,  we distribute essential hygiene products and food items to all those who don’t have access to food inside the camp. You may be asked to help prepare for the distribution or assist with handing out the items. Our distributions are well organized and aim to tackle the biggest needs of the community. 

WAREHOUSE: The LHI warehouse stores seasonal clothing, hygiene, diapers, dry food and program supplies. We’ve also absorbed many items from other projects that have closed or moved out of Greece. We also donate a lot of our supplies to nearby camps, where beneficiaries are in great need of clothes, whereas the needs in Serres camp are more related to food and hygiene items. There is a full-time warehouse manager, and we expect all our volunteers to do weekly warehouse shifts.

LOGISTICS: Volunteers have the opportunity to spend time with the logistic team maintaining and making repairs to the field. Keeping a beautiful well-kept place where people can relax is as essential as any of the other activities we do! The Logistics team also run a weekly wood-work workshop for community member to learn new skills!

SCHEDULE: The majority of programs run from 9am to 12 pm and 2pm to 6pm. We take Mondays & Tuesdays off and work all other days of the week. We expect our volunteers to be mature, independent, committed and willing to work longer hours when necessary, such as clothing distribution week. We work on Greek holidays. Volunteers are permitted to take off days for religious observation with some notice to the management in advance. The Community Center may be closed around the Christmas Holidays. Volunteers staying over this time can stay in the apartments for the normal rate. The center can remain open upon leadership decisions. 

BRINGING SPECIAL SKILLS: Volunteers are individuals who offer a wide variety of skills and expertise beyond your volunteer role requirements. It is completely natural and understandable that you want to share your passions and expertise with the community members by running special workshops or setting up new programs. We will try our best to accommodate sharing your skills and knowledge, but it is not guaranteed, as time and space are very limited due to accommodating our current programs. You will make a difference, no matter what. We have a ton of feedback from the community members that our current programs are highly useful to them, and they appreciate volunteers just for being there. 

COMMITMENT & AGE LIMIT: 8 weeks minimum commitment for all roles. Volunteers need to be at least 19 years old. We welcome people of all ages >19 and all walks of life. Experience working with vulnerable people is highly preferred.

VOLUNTEER COMPENSATION: We do not pay volunteers or cover flights. Program managers receive a very minimal living stipend, as they are in Serres over several months. Those staying  4+ months do not have to pay any rent. 

SMART PHONE: You must have a smartphone with a data-plan. We use WhatsApp to communicate throughout the day. 

DRESS CODE: We wear culturally appropriate clothing, out of respect to the populations we work with. It helps maintain trust and sends a signal that we are there for them. Clothes should cover shoulders, chest,  stomach and knees and not be tight-fitting. This applies to both men and women. You will receive more info upon committing.

MATURITY & FLEXIBILITY: Volunteer team means an assortment of personalities, energy levels, life experience, and social idiosyncrasies. Also, working within this context is unpredictable and demanding. Therefore, volunteers need to be flexible, positive, empathetic, compassionate, and physically and psychologically well. We ask that major concerns and complaints are taken directly to managers/directors. Complaining to team members relieves a lot of pressure and feels good, but it is not at all constructive and may potentially affect overall morale. The coordination team welcomes all feedback. 

VOLUNTEER APARTMENTS: LHI rents 6 apartments in the heart of Serres. Each has bedrooms, a kitchen, toilet, shower, a living area, balcony, washing machine and WIFI. You will be assigned to an apartment upon committing.  Some volunteers choose to stay in private accommodation, AirBNB and booking.com both have options in Serres

HOUSING COST: Volunteers staying less than 120 days pay 8 euros per day. Volunteers staying more than 120days pay nothing. 

Why do we require volunteers to pay? Rent & utilities for 6 apartments are very expensive. For example, it is common for the electricity of one apartment alone to cost 500 euros/month. Technically and legally, your payment is considered reimbursement to LHI for rent and utilities. 

SLEEPING CONDITIONS: Volunteers should expect to share their bedroom space with one or two other volunteers. Foam mattresses, sheets, and pillows are provided. It’s not fancy living, but it’s comfortable enough. We want our volunteers to be as comfortable as possible, within the limitations of our housing budget. 

SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: LHI apartments are in complexes where mostly elderly people live and adhere to strict local quiet times from 2-5pm and after 10pm. It was very difficult to find landlords willing to rent apartments to us in Serres, so we absolutely must keep our neighbors happy. Please keep alcohol consumption to a minimum at apartments. Smoking is permitted on the balconies. Luckily, Serres is a great town with lots of bars, so we ask that the team socialize away from the apartments during those quiet times. 

GROCERIES: There are plenty of grocery stores in Serres. Prices are comparable to the US/UK. Every Tuesday morning (the team’s day off), there is a huge farmer’s market, where you can buy all fruits and vegetables at very affordable prices. Some volunteers take turns cooking for their flatmates, which saves a lot of money. 

TRANSPORTATION AROUND SERRES: We can provide bicycles for each volunteer during their placement with LHI. Serres isn’t a large city so everywhere is also walking distance! Renting a car for the weekend isn’t expensive either!

FUNDRAISING: It helps us a great deal when volunteers fundraise before coming. Volunteer fundraising is extremely effective, as family & friends will be invested in your upcoming volunteer experience. It taps into communities that we wouldn’t normally reach on our own. Here’s our fundraising guide.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK: We ask all volunteers to provide proof of criminal clearance, due to the sensitive nature of refugee work. Background checks vary from country to country. 

VACCINES: Also, it is advisable to be up to date with the following vaccines: Coronavirus, Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Typhoid, and Hepatitis A&B.

PLANNING FLIGHTS: In general, you will be asked to arrive during LHI’s weekend (Monday/Tuesday) in order to receive your orientation training on Wednesday. 

GETTING TO SERRES: The closest airport is Thessaloniki, Greece, followed by Sofia, Bulgaria. We do NOT provide rides to and from the airport. See APPENDIX III to get directions from the airport to Serres.

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING: Working with vulnerable populations requires safeguard training, based on international protocol. Its purpose is to protect refugees from emotional and physical harm. You will get the training from one of our coordinators upon arrival. In fact, you won’t be able to step foot at the Center until you’ve had the training. Some things you’ll cover: Our photo policy, setting healthy emotional and physical boundaries, avoiding close attachments with the residents, no gift giving, etc. 

PROGRAM ORIENTATION: You will meet with your program manager to review volunteer roles, set up weekly check-in meetings, and other detailed information about your program. 

WEEKLY TEAM MEETING: All volunteers are required to attend a team meeting every Wednesday at 12:30pm. Meetings typically last one hour and consist of program updates, important announcements, helpful reminders, signing up for warehouse & distribution shifts, planning team-building activities.

SELF-CARE: Working in this context can be demanding and exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Burnout is real. When it hits, it hits hard and is very hard to recover from. The result is physical and emotional exhaustion, disenchantment with the program, team members & even your entire experience, and difficulty remembering the good times once you leave. You don’t want that, and we don’t want that for you. 

You never see burnout coming, so prevention is key. Pace yourself. Go out to dinner with team members, visit historical sites, take a walk, get hooked on a TV show, cook dinner for your flatmates, attend local Salsa dance classes, explore Greece on your days off, go to Tuesday market, sit down and enjoy a Greek coffee, rest if you’re ill, etc.

How long must I commit to volunteering with LHI?

Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 8 weeks of volunteering.

Where is the community center located?

We are situated in a well-established site about 200m from the refugee camps.

What is the Nearest Airport?

Thessaloniki is the nearest airport. We recommend flying to Thessaloniki, as Athens is quite a distance away. From Thessaloniki Airport, you can get a bus to the main bus terminal and then from there an intercity bus to Serres (€9). Some volunteers do travel to Athens and then take the train to Thessaloniki. Some volunteers also flew into Sofia, as flights there can be a lot cheaper than to Greece. To get from Sofia to Serres, you can get the metro directly from the airport to the main bus terminal, and a bus from there to Serres (€12-15) which can be booked online through Arda Tur or Union Ivkoni. The bus takes approximately 4 hours, but please let the coordinator in Serres know if you are coming from Sofia as the bus does not always drop you at the main bus terminal in Serres, and instead about 5km from the city centre, so you may need to call a taxi.

What will I need to obtain data and/or calls for my phone whilst in Greece? How much will this cost?

As long as your phone is unlocked, it will work perfectly when in Greece. Some volunteers, particularly those coming for a shorter stay, if those unable to get their phones unlocked before arriving and prefer to use global roaming on their provider from home. However, purchasing a local Greek prepaid sim card is a very easy option and quite cheap. There are a few good local providers. Vodafone is popular, and there is a store right in the center of Serres near the apartment. Depending on what deals they have, you will be able to get anywhere from 2GB - 5GB of data + calls for about 15 Euros, and this will last 1 month, or you can always top up if need be.

What sort of insurance do I need and can you suggest any specific providers?

Basic travel (including medical) insurance cover is required whilst volunteering with LHI. We suggest comparing policies and providers using insuremytrip.com. Some credit cards (such as American Express) include travel insurance that just needs to be activated before you depart, so it is worth looking into this if you have a credit card. World nomads is a reputable and well priced provider several volunteers have used in the past.

Do I need an international driver's permit or can I use my drivers license from my home country?

An international driver's license/permit is required to drive in Greece, unless you have a driver's license from an EU Country. Our cars in Serres are stick/manual, so if you are only able to drive an automatic car you will not be driving in Serres; in addition only Program Managers and Directors are permitted to drive the organizations vehicles.How do I obtain proof of criminal clearance?

Below is country specific information, and we suggest doing your own research on the easiest/cheapest way to obtain proof of criminal clearance.

• UK: Apply for a standard disclosure certificate, which is often asked for when working with children in the UK, and provides proof that you do not have a criminal record.
• USA: Apply for a fingerprint clearance card
• Australia: Apply for a Working with Children's Check (for volunteering purposes this is free of charge)
• Germany: Request a clearance certificate/certificate of good conduct (Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis) which costs 13 Euros and can be done here. You can also apply for an extended clearance certificate (Erweitertes Führungszeugnis für Ehrenamtliche), which is free for volunteers and can be requested at the city hall of your place of residence.

How much should I budget for my stay in Serres?

Volunteers typically budget between €50-€70 per week, not including rent/accommodation costs. There are also Lidl supermarkets in Serres, with one about 200m from the park and the camp so groceries are very cheap, and there is a market every Tuesday which has high quality and low cost seasonal fresh produce. Local SIM card: €15 per month.

Rent at the volunteer apartment is €8 per night, which includes electricity, water, gas, and wifi. If you will not be staying at the apartment this cost is likely to be higher. Transport costs are minimal in Serres. The city center, apartment, camp, park, and warehouse are all within walking distance. Keep in mind the bus from Thessaloniki to Serres is €9 one way, so if you are coming from that airport, or wish to spend your days off in Thessaloniki this will be an additional cost.

Am I able to take time off during my volunteer stay?

We request that volunteers are fully committed during the duration of their stay. Volunteers have two days free each week for personal time. Please arrange for your personal trips to take place before or after your committed service. Exceptions are made for volunteers committing to a longer stay.

Do you recommend setting up a personal fundraising campaign?

Absolutely! Setting up personal fundraising campaigns reaches new communities and potential donors. Many people are more likely to donate directly to the hands of someone they know personally. You can raise funds for LHI in general, or for a wide range of projects:

• Arabic, Kurmanji, Farsi, or French Books for the Book Collection
• Art and School Supplies
• Recreational Supplies (balls, equipment, etc.)
• Fresh Produce
• Hygiene Products (shampoo, soap, dish soap, trash bags, laundry soap, razors, chapstick, etc.)
• Food Supplementation (tea, rice, cooking oil, chickpeas, salt, flour, sugar, etc.) ● Beauty Supplies for Women’s Beauty Saturday’s (nail polish, henna, temporary tattoos, waxing kits, face masks, etc.).
• Sewing and Crochet Supplies
• Vehicle Rental, which helps us operate more smoothly and effectively.

Volunteers are generally happy to have extra funds they can use toward projects / workshops / activities they host. That being said, items purchased must be pre-approved by the program manager. Keeping trust and a harmonious relationship with hundreds of residents is not always an easy task… Therefore, we only distributewhen there are enough items for ALL residents.

Is it Recommended to Travel to Greece with Material Donations?

Most items are easily purchased within Greece. We only recommend flying into Greece with items that can not be purchased locally. Examples: Arabic or Kurdish books, English learning materials, henna, or high-value donation items such as electronics. We have had volunteers fly with laptops and projectors in the past, which are always needed items.

We have also had volunteers do specific drives at home in the past, which have been effective. Light, compact, and small items could prove worthy of travel. This includes socks, underwear, undershirts, sewing materials, knitting or crochet needles, letters or drawings of hope from the home community. Please contact our Logistics Director for further details: As previously stated, we only distribute once we have enough for the entire population. This means it is not guaranteed that donations you bring with you will be donated during the time you are with us.

Can LHI support me while I volunteer with the organization?

All volunteers are responsible for their own travel costs, transportation, accommodation, insurance, and all other living expenses. Your efforts are voluntary, and you will not be reimbursed financially. If you are able to volunteer for more than 4 months we are able to cover the cost of your accommodation in Serres.