Tori Bedingfield started her trip to Greece as a chance to study archaeology and anthropology abroad.
But, it turned into her helping aid migrants at the center of the European refugee crisis in Athens.
Bedingfield is an archaeologist and graduate of the University of Victoria, who traveled to the captial city of Greece to study remnants of human history. She joined The Jon McComb Show on Wednesday to discuss her experiences with helping refugees and what the migrants go through on a daily basis.
LISTEN: Tori Bedingfield gives first-hand account of refugee crisis in Greece
On her way to work every morning, Bedingfield would walk past numerous abandoned buildings in Athens, where countless refugees moved in for shelter. Many of them were women and children living in buildings with no access to water, heat, food or charitable support.
“They are largely people who are not registered with any charity,” Bedingfield said. “A number of these buildings are being occupied by people who have nowhere else to be.”
The majority of abandoned buildings are in that condition as a result of the country’s poor economic environment, Bedingfield said. Most of those buildings are old schools, banks and hotels.
When she witnessed their living conditions first-hand, Bedingfield was motivated to make their lives a bit easier. As a result, she and her colleagues visit them a couple times a week to deliver basic necessities and supplies, while also teaching the children how to build their language skills.
“Some of them are trying to learn German or French because there is hope they will be placed in another European country soon,” Bedingfield said. “My aunt was a former grade two teacher, so I have taken a lot of her teaching materials.”
Bedingfield would always see headlines surrounding the crisis when she lived in Canada, but she never felt involved. After getting a first-hand look at the situation, she was driven to make a difference.
“You see people everywhere,” Bedingfield said. “Especially after Trump’s travel ban last year, it gave me even more motivation to try harder to help people’s lives be a bit better.”
The stories she has heard from some refugees are horrific. She has listened to anecdotes of the dangerous trip across the sea, which includes children spending ten hours in chest-deep water because the boat is so low. However, Bedingfield admires the high-spirits of the refugees.
“It’s miraculous that these people can just walk around and be normal and laugh after experiencing things,” Bedingfield said.
From her personal accounts, she has never seen any Greek people express rude attitudes toward migrants. However, Bedingfield said the refugees can be targets of the police, and the presence of a far-right political party called The Golden Dawn indicates to her that not all refugees are treated well.
Another challenge the refugees face relates to their cash. Bedingfield said it is dangerous for the migrants because they carry all their money with them wherever they go, which can lead to harmful incidents.
“There is a huge problem with them being taken hostage by cab drivers,” Bedingfield said. “People know they are carrying all their cash with them.”
GALLERY: Bedingfield teaches refugee children how to paint
Bedingfield said she has received a lot of support from people back in Victoria, as well as the University of Victoria. She feels the donations from them has strengthened her relationship with the city and her former university.
“I feel even more proud to be from Victoria and the University of Victoria,” Bedingfield said. “It makes me feel more connected to Victoria.”
For anyone wanting to donate, visit her Facebook page.
There is also a GoFundMe page.