Changemakers. Inspirers. Innovators. Helpers. Real life heroes. These are the Movers behind Movement On The Ground.
At the end of the day, it’s the spirited people who help to make you a movement. That's why this World Humanitarian Day we want to pay homage to the bold, ambitious and compassionate people who drive our mission forward by sharing their stories and motivation to help.
Check out the inspiring profiles of some of our dedicated Movers below! Who knows, maybe they will inspire you to become a Mover too?
Want to support Movement On The Ground's mission on the Greek islands? Check our our 'How Can I Help?' page to see how you can get involved!
Meet Abdul, one of our incredible resident volunteers working in and around Vathy camp on Samos. Since joining our team last October, Abdul has been committed to assisting with the day-to-day operations of our activites around Vathy camp, like the waste collection program.
In sticking with this year's World Humanitarian Day theme, #RealLifeHeroes, we asked Abdul a few questions about the qualities a real life hero should possess and what keeps him motivated to help his community, day in, day out.
What is your motivation for working with MOTG?
My motivation to work with Movement On The Ground is to distract myself from the miserable situation in the camps. It motivates me when I see the smiles of people who I help. When a child or a family is happy, they smile and that smile gives you a feeling that you can't describe.
If a mountain grows from the ground, how do you overcome it?
I am a man who loves challenges in life. Challenges make me more insistent on succeeding in anything. When there is any challenge for me, this means there is only one goal for me, which is success.
If you could be any superhero, which one and why?
If I could be a superhero I would like to be a man who relies on himself for everything. A man who trusts in himself.
What do you think is the most important quality for a real life hero to have?
The hero of his lineage is someone who knows how to manage his affairs and knows how to live no matter how difficult the circumstances. He who lives autonomously, not relying on help, is a real hero in my vision.
What is your mentality in difficult situations?
In difficult situations, I do not make a decision before I think about it well and study it from all directions. I always try to weigh up the positives and the negatives and see what the side effects of my reponsive actions might be.
Meet Konstantina, our passionate Sports Coordinator who facilitates energising and uplifting sports activities for the residents of Kara Tepe, Moria camp and the local Greek community. Konstantina joined our mission two years ago. Born and raised in Greece, she felt compelled to play an active role in the situation that impacts and effects her country.
"It's history that's being written here and I would like to say in the future to my children and grandchildren that I tried to make a contribution," she explains.
In light of World Humanitarian Day, we chatted with Konstantina about her motivativation for helping others and how she overcomes difficult situations.
What is your motivation for working with MOTG?
It's the feedback I get from the children that I work with on a daily basis. I sometimes feel I get more than I give to them. We have a lot to learn from the children.
How do you stay positive in difficult situations?
I try to think as clearly as possible from different perspectives. I take everything seriously but without letting it ruin me.
If you could be any superhero, which one and why?
I would like to be Superman (or Superwoman), because he can fly, he saves people's lives and has a humble and kind profile.
What do you think is the most important quality for a real life hero to have?
Respect! It's a value that should determine all lives.
How do you overcome challenges?
I try to think of a positive result and how I'll reward myself if I can overcome it!
Meet Tawab, one of our coordinators who works in the Olive Groves outside of Moria camp. Prior to his official role with us at Movement On The Ground, the young Afghani-born man was living with his family in Moria camp and volunteering with our resident team.
A resilient, optimistic and energetic worker, Tawab brings a sense of great hope to his Olive Grove campUs community everyday. We are incredibly proud to call him a Mover, so as a part of World Humanitarian Day, we decided to chat to him about what it takes to be a real life hero.
What is your motivation for working with MOTG?
My main motivation in life is the goal that moves me forward, to help my fellow man, who has an unintended problem, and MOTG is the NGO that has made this possible for all people with this mindset.
How do you overcome challenges?
Challenges make life more beautiful, certainly not in the moment we face them, but the beauty lies in the moment we overcome them.
If you could be any superhero, which one and why?
If one day I could be a superhero, I would prefer to be Doctor Strange (from the Marvel series), because even when he had no magical powers, he was able to save many lives.
What do you think is the most important quality for a real hero to have?
Having a philanthropic heart that loves one's fellow man. This is a quality that all real life heroes should possess.
How do you stay positive in difficult situations?
Having a dream or goal in mind is a reason to be successful in times of difficulty. The more you believe in that goal, the more successful you will be in your work.
Meet Anouk, one of our long-term visiting volunteers on Lesvos. Joining our team back in March as a part of her Masters internship, Anouk decided to stay on board despite the threat of Covid-19.
Six months on and she has contributed a great deal to our mission in the Olive Groves outside of Moria camp. What's to note is her positive and optimistic attitude in which she brings to work everyday.
What is your motivation for working with MOTG?
I chose to volunteer with MOTG because I like their approach to humanitarian action (to involve camp residents together with local communities is for me very innovative and different from the traditional organisation way of thinking). I feel part of a whole, a community that tries to find solutions and slowly change things, and it feels good to be part of the solution for once, even on my small scale! I really like this sense of community, it's one of the first motivations for going to work every day!
If you could be any superhero, which one and why?
I don't particularly want to be him, but I would really like to meet Batman if he were real! For me he is the incarnation of revolt, of the hero who fights against inequalities and injustice. He acts to try to change what he doesn't like in society and fights for his ideals! This motivation to change things is his strength and I find that inspiring!
What do you think is the most important quality for a real life hero to have?
I think dedication! Putting the needs of others before your own is one of the qualities that I admire the most! It requires complete commitment, strong conviction and an undefeatable spirit.
How do you cope in difficult situations?
First, I sit down and drink my coffee! Then, I focus on the result I want to get while keeping my mind open to any suggestion. Also, having a clear goal always makes the solution easier to find!
Meet Adel, an integral part of our resident electricity team in Kara Tepe. Adel joined the resident team back in April and since then he has literally been working day and night to help keep the electricity running smoothly for the 1300 people living in Kara Tepe.
"He's always the first one ready when we have a new job to do. He's super reliable and friendly to everyone," explains Saksia, our program manager.
#RealLifeHeroes is the theme this World Humanitarian Day, so we chatted with Adel to find out what qualities a real life hero should have and the importance of serving others.
What is your motivation for working with MOTG?
I started with MOTG because I was and electrical power engineer in automation field. I had the right experience to work with the electricity team in Kara Tepe. I thought with my knowledge, I can really help Movement On The Ground to serve others.
If you could be any superhero, which one and why?
My hero is not from Marvel or DC Legend. My hero is Jesus Christ because he never told a lie with his mouth. Even when people insulted him, he didn't insult them back. He suffered but he didn't threaten anyone. These are qualities to live by.
What do you think is the most important quality for a real life hero to have?
Helping and serving people. Like my hero, he came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.
How do you overcome challenges?
Through prayer and hope I believe I can find solutions. In my personal life, I sometimes feel upset as I lost my life of the past, I'm a refugee and I now miss my wife and little son. But I continue to pray and hope that God will heal me.
What drives you to keep pushing everyday?
I have the best team in MOTG. Anytimes we have issues, we apply team work and get things done together. This keeps me motivated.
Meet Tes, one of our visiting volunteers working on Lesvos. A woman who is ready to put her heart and soul into any task at hand, Tes has assisted with a variety of our programs on Lesvos including the running of the free clothing store in Kara Tepe and tent building in the Olive Groves outside of Moria camp.
As a part of World Humanitarian Day, we wanted to know why Tes joined our mission towards dignity and how she channels hero-like qualities into her work for us.
What is your motivation for working with MOTG?
I have been following MOTG on social media for a while and I have always liked the way of working, it's refreshing. The involvement of the residents and the sense of community that is created among everyone involved is amazing. And as I don't have any specific skills, I am happy that MOTG allows you to help in whatever small way you can.
If you could be any superhero, which one and why?
Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. She is very compassionate, believes that everyone is equal and she fights for what she believes in. I think those are very admirable qualities. And then there are all these things like superhuman strength and durability - which sounds cool and would also be very useful during tent building for example.
What do you think is the most important quality for a real life super hero to have?
Compassion, or just a very big heart - one needs to always believe in (the good in) people.
How do you cope in challenging situations?
I usually just take a step back, talk to someone if needed, drink some water/coffee, and get back to work - focusing on why we started working on a specific project, being aware of its impact, however small it may be.