Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Notes from Greek Ground Zero -- and one way to help!

In  my previous post, I wrote: "Now already-slashed (some early, but NOT ill-got) pensions sustaining extended families will be cut back again in order to keep Greece in the Eurozone.  Is the price too steep?" Add to that: 25% unemployment (50% ages 25-34), more than 40% living below poverty level, and a very un-Greek uptick in suicides.

A few minutes ago, I received a message from one of my former students from the AFS Girls School (circa 1968-78), who is in her late 50's. I had complemented her political activism on Facebook, as I was always trying empower the girls one way or another when I was their teacher. Here was her response (translated from the Greek):

"As you can see, we are supporting ___, with the old time politicos we see no solution. We are suffering financially and don't know what else to do. We have no help from anywhere. They've cut my husband's pension quite a lot. None of our children have jobs. My daughter owes 2,700 EU to the electric company and 1 1/2 years rent. I don't know what to do. Hopefully something good will happen. Hugs." 
She proved my point, but broke my heart.
NOTE: You can help Greece by joining me in a contribution to  Kid & Family. ($50 will provide foodstuffs and personal essentials to a family of 4 for 1 week) -- or you can send $$ to your relatives wherever they are!

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