No Name Kitchen

No Name Kitchen is an independent movement working along the Balkan and Mediterranean routes to promote humanitarian aid and political action on behalf of those suffering the hardships of extreme travel and violent rejection. Patras is the third largest city in Greece, after Thessaloniki and Athens, and the main port from which numerous ferries depart daily for Europe, especially Italy. In the New Port of Patras there are three main factories. The people working in the factories are mainly from Afghanistan. In some cases there are small groups of people from Pakistan, and few people from Bangladesh. The number of people on the move changes with the seasons and the political context, but since NNK started the project in February 2019, the number has fluctuated between 80 people and 120 people, counting together all the places we are visiting on a daily basis. The displaced people live in four different locations. Deprivation: access to services, food, shelter, asylum... Human rights violations: borders, expulsions, evictions, other violations, xenophobia, etc.

NNK is a grassroots organization where highly motivated volunteers (non-profit/junior humanitarian profiles) find their space to get first hand experiences on the ground. Coming to NNK projects is a unique experience but it is not for everyone. We look for conscientious and responsible individuals who can understand the sensitivities of being in the field; dealing with a vulnerable population as well as (in some cases) hostile actors. In the field we adopt a low profile; we are not looking for any confrontation with the police, but for mutual understanding. We look for people who are able to adapt to complex contests where everyone contributes to teamwork (beyond the focal point).

This is a real phrase that a member of the NNK field team said in 2021 talking about a person on the move: we do not help, we decide to fight injustices and empathize with those who suffer from the illegalities of an unjust system. After a field experience is much more what we learned as volunteers than what we gave to those who suffer conditions of vulnerability. NNK teams are looking for those who are able to understand that we are not saviors, but simply willing to make our contribution when possible, without feeding any false expectations about the importance of what we can do (and more importantly what we cannot do). People on the move have crossed all of Europe from Iran to Bosnia and NNK is in only 5 cities out of thousands along the Balkan route: people must rely on their resilience and not on humanitarian projects. We provide aid and human closeness as much as possible, we do not save lives.

What are we going to do?

The main activity of all teams is represented by distributions, which are composed of a chain of sub-activities (hotline, packaging, purchasing, distribution) in which the team has to move and act as a single body.

These are the positions needed and the dates to be filled. To be selected you must secure at least one month in the field. Longer stays will be preferred.

1 LOGISTICS POSITION, 1 JUNE - 30 SEPT (flexible dates): Main duties include management of in-kind donations, purchasing, volunteer arrivals, warehouse/guesthouses/equipment, vehicles and supplies for activities.

1 ADMINISTRATION POSITION, JUNE 1 - SEPTEMBER 30 (flexible dates): The field teams consist of different "focal points" who ensure the correct implementation of NNK actions and guidelines. The focal point is not a coordinator or a manager, but a team member with a specific task within NNK. Before accepting the role, are you comfortable with Excel files? Are you willing to learn about administration tools? Are you willing to dedicate a couple of hours a week to administrative issues? Are you able to respect procedures and structures?

1 COMMUNICATION POSITION, 29 JULY TO 30 SEPT (flexible dates). Main tasks include writing social media posts, creating podcasts, hosting journalists in the field and helping them get in touch with people and being the interlocutor for people on the move.

1 HEALTH FIRST AID PLACEMENT, MAY 29 - SEPTEMBER 30 (flexible dates): The main tasks include providing first aid, making sure first aid tools and equipment are sufficient, making sure first aid activities are properly tracked....

There is much more information about the organization, the places where you work, the responsibilities of each position, etc., for those who would like to participate in No Name Kitchen projects. Please ask your university's reference persons for it.

Refugee migrants and asylum seekers at the grecian border.

Common and compulsory training days. The group selected for the project will meet to share information with the organization before starting the project. A specific training calendar that addresses the identified needs will be specified for the month of June.

The organization provides:

• Accommodation

• Free Wi-Fi.

• Free transportation for activities.

• Cleaning products (broom, mop, sponge, bleach, dishwasher soap).

• Toilet paper, kitchen napkins, garbage bags (150 liters).

• Basket of basic foodstuffs: sugar, salt, oil, legumes and rice (not intended to cover the entire diet, but to contribute to it).

• PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT: Free legal protection in case of abuse of power by the authorities. Continuous monitoring and training in the field. Free access to supervision and psychological support.

The student assumes the management and payment of the transfers to the place of intervention.

Have a valid COVID passport. Meet the requirements for entry into Greece at the time of travel.