Galery

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There is some irony in becoming a refugee fleeing from war and massacres, and then winding up in a camp like this one in an Athens park, named after the war god Ares.

Yet living in a mostly abandoned park, a breath away from Exarcheia, the most socially sensitive neighbourhood of Athens, means you are in luck. And those involved are not just people from nearby, but all those who are concerned and wish to help the refugees in any way they can. The number of volunteers exceeded anybody's expectations and surprised even the 'usual suspects' in charitable work. They managed to turn the drama into a successful social experiment of relief and coexistence.

"It was great, really. Initially, we were wracking our brains as to how we could help 20 or even 30 people – in a season when everybody deserts the city ... Sometimes it's blissful when you feel you are no longer needed," said Achileas Peklaris from the Immigrants' Club. The little refugee 'village' sprawls over a section of the park, amid the marble statues of the 1821 revolutionaries, who must have seen a similar refugee plight at their time, or even worse.

Laundry and personal hygiene, of course, are done on the spot. Apart from the discreet tolerance towards this self-styled 'occupation' lasting more than two weeks already, society at large has essentially left them to fend for themselves. The only exceptions are two chemical toilets, which were put in place.

Fortunately, where the authorities have been slow, if not in utter denial, caring people and groups of Exarcheia have cropped up to fill the space. Activists and volunteers have become the 'guardian angels' of the settlers, most of them poor Afghans and Syrians. The volunteers work in shifts and provide food, medicines, care for the sick and the children, as well as security to protect the refugees from robbery or assault.

Among these charitable people there are already settled immigrants from the Immigrants' Club who upload in the social networks lists with what is needed on a daily basis. The last list had tea, soap, aluminium food containers, tents, fruit, drawing materials, balls, games, as well as people who can help. Bottled water is always needed, especially in a heat like this. The park has only one single fountain, which is constantly flooded.