Tamera
Yesterday some people who volunteered on Lesvos and some more interested people met in Tamera to talk about the impressions, thoughts, feelings, emotions which came up on the island working with refugees. We also discussed how to go on, what we can do here in Portugal. Portugal takes in 10.000 refugees and the first (appr. 120 ) arrived today.
What could be an a contribution, a model for solution in integration here. Portugal has many abandoned villages on the country side. Villages can be repopulated as some examples in Spain and Italy show. Young people going to the cities leaving the countrysides abandoned.
Europe flags
Now we start talks with local municipalities and will consult the competent office for the national refugee question. On the march for Safe Passage in Lisbon last Sunday, 28th Feb. various groups had been present like MAS, Movimento Alternativa Socialista or Solidariedade Imigrante who work for immigrants in Portugal and can be alliances in the progress of this project. The idea of the integration of refugees in communities is already proven in other European nations and can work as further model in Europe. An integration together with locals to revitalise abandoned regions, rebuild houses, and reinforce the agriculture … to bring life back into over-aged communities.
There are many things needed to be considered, proven, talked, financed, etc. .. to start those projects but it also looks promising for the question of integration for refugees.
Other thoughts mentioned in the meeting had been the situation for the greek citizens especially on the concerned islands. 80% of the tourists cancelled their trip to Lesvos for 2016. This is a real additionally disaster for the inhabitants. Now we think for an initiative to bring as much tourists as possible back to the islands. A new Solidarity Tourism can help to overcome the crisis on the islands.
Kolpos Geras Bay on Lesvos 
The beauty of the island is amazing. An open eyed and minded tourism can help a lot.
klauswuttig 