Philippa and Eric Kempson - refugee support/ Lesvos

30/03/2026

It feels like we are living in some of the darkest times. And in dark times, all that is left is Hope.

Today we are asking for your help to keep Hope alive.

Right now, we only have enough funds to keep our services running for another two months. Without urgent support, Hope Project may have to close. This is incredibly difficult to say, especially at a time when we feel our work is needed more than ever. This should be a time when we are increasing services, not making more cuts just to survive.

Every donation, no matter how small, helps keep our basic services running — food, hot showers, a washing machine, a safe place to come, the basics that should never be a luxury.

Bombs produce refugees. War has consequences. And when people arrive here, they still need support, dignity, and humanity. That is what Hope is here for, but we cannot do it without you.

If you can help, please consider making a donation or sharing this post.

PayPal: paypal.me/Hopeprojectlesvos15
Donation page: https://hope-project-10th-anniversary.raiselysite.com/

Without your help, Hope will not survive. With your help, Hope lives.
(Photo from archives)
#

25/02/2026

Although we are no longer doing full camp distributions, we are still supporting many people with essential clothing and hygiene supplies.

Today we went shopping for desperately needed socks and were able to buy enough to keep us going for the next month. Our members were so happy — many had been trying to wear their shoes without socks and were really struggling. Something as simple as a pair of socks can make such a difference.

We truly need your help to keep going and to continue buying the items that are most needed. Financial donations allow us to respond quickly and purchase exactly what is required.

We are also very grateful to receive parcels with specific items that are currently missing:

For women:

Shoes

Bras and underwear

Socks

Cosmetics and face/body cream

For men (especially small & medium sizes):

T-shirts

Trousers

Long-sleeve tops

Shoes (sizes 40–43)

Socks

For everyone:

Flip-flops / Crocs

Thank you all for continuing to support Hope and standing with us. We simply cannot do this without your help. 💛 PayPal paypal.me/Hopeprojectlesvos15
Donation page: https://hope-project-10th-anniversary.raiselysite.com/

04/02/2026

!15 DEAD!
15 people are dead 24 more are in hospital in Chios, some are in critical condition, an unknown number are missing, search and rescue continued throughout the night and today.
Once again, the violence in Greece kills more people seeking safety.
The “incident” occurred last night in Greek waters off Chios. All day today we have been watching the news unfold with various stories appearing in the Greek press, it is unlikely that we will ever know the truth.
The narrative of the Greek coast guard once again has blamed the refugees for ramming their boat as we have seen in the past this is the go-to position when the violence of “border protection” turns deadly.
We have personally witnessed over the years the dangerous tactics used to “stop the boats” and witnessed what happens when these tactics turn deadly.
There is always immediate blaming of the victims. In this case the small boat is accused of ramming the coast guard boat, although it seems the “damage” to the coast guard vessel appears to be at the front. Some of the survivors have internal injuries almost as if they were hit by a fast-moving boat.
With the criminalisation of observers and independent sea rescue organisations, there is no one left to witness the known tactics of the coast guard and if events follow the well-established play book the survivors will be isolated and often criminalised, evidence confiscated for the “investigation”. The investigation will be internal, and no wrongdoing will be found from the coast guard, as normal. Unsurprisingly the cameras on the vessel were not turned on, so we currently only have the official statements from the coast guard with no corroborating evidence.
We’ve been here before. The death toll keeps rising.
More terrified people are losing their lives to border violence.
How is this allowed to continue?
The daily violence sponsored and supported by the EU is a daily occurrence. Fortress Europe supported by far-right rhetoric and its apologists are killing people!
How can this continue to happen in our “civilised” democracy.
Are we numb to the horror inflicted on people seeking safety every day?
Do we look away or somehow justify this violence?
We once again along with partner organisations call for and end to this endless violence and call for safe passage for people on the run whose only crime is seeking safety.

17/12/2025

08/12/2025

27/11/2025

25/11/2025

🌿 The Hope Project Needs You 🌿

For ten years, we’ve stood alongside people fleeing conflict — offering hope, dignity, and empowerment when they need it most.
But today, as more groups leave Lesvos, the need grows… and our ability to continue grows uncertain.

💔 We cannot continue without your support.
If we are to keep our doors open, to keep providing safety, creativity, community, and humanity, we need your help now more than ever.

Please consider donating and sharing our appeal. Every contribution, big or small, keeps hope alive.

Donate here:
🔗 PayPal: https://paypal.me/Hopeprojectlesvos15

🔗 Donation Page: https://hope-project-10th-anniversary.raiselysite.com/

Ten years after the crisis, we don’t want to give up now.
And with your support — we won’t.

💛 Thank you for standing with us.

05/11/2025

More restrictions of freedom
These are the new rules for people living inside the refugee camp on Lesvos.

🕕 Earliest exit: 06:00
🕗 Latest exit: 20:30
🕙 Latest entry: 22:00

Anyone returning after 10pm will be locked out.

People are not allowed to live elsewhere, even if they have the means to do so. Leaving the camp permanently means losing access to basic services — food, medical care, housing.

There is no freedom of choice, no dignity in being told when you can or cannot come and go. These are adults, families, students, and workers — people seeking safety — yet their daily lives are governed by the sound of a gate closing.

At the Hope Project, we see every day how much people long for the smallest sense of normality and control over their lives. Freedom of movement should never be a privilege — it is a basic human right.

29/10/2025

Maybe They Lost The Steering! 29/10/2015