A garden of care: Finding family far from home

On Lesvos, in the middle of so much uncertainty, there’s a garden where women and children can simply breathe. It’s a place where little ones play, mothers find a moment to rest, and kindness is part of the everyday. That space is held by Because We Carry, a group that has been by the side of displaced families since 2015—quietly, consistently, and with deep care. For International Day of Families, we spoke with their team about what togetherness looks like in tough times, why laughter matters, and how small gestures—like a shared meal or a silly clown with a red nose—can make people feel human again.

Can you introduce “Because We Carry” for those who may not know your work, and tell us a bit about your presence in Lesvos?

Because We Carry has been in Levos since 2015. We are supporting pregnant women, women and children. We have a beautiful garden where women and children are welcome to relax and play, to request for needs like children clothing, baby items etc. And for pregnant women we have a programme, providing pregnancy workshops with our midwife, we have a pregnancy clothing free shop, and we offer freshly cooked food once per week. We provide all the necessary items for newborn babies and their mothers during pregnancy and after birth. In our garden we offer different activities like a beauty afternoon, creative afternoon and dance parties, for women only.

How do the children and families you work with respond to simple human connection—like a shared laugh, a conversation, or a quiet moment together?

We see when families are entering our garden and are welcomed with a smile, a twinkle in the eyes appearing. We try to give everyone a nice experience and we see how women relax; children can play and get out of the camp environment they live in. People feel human again, they feel seen and heard and they recognise the garden as a place to let go of their worries for a bit.

How do Because We Carry foster a sense of mutual respect and dignity between families, volunteers, and organisations?

At Because We Carry, equality is key. We don’t come ‘to help’ we come ‘to do things together.’ We share meals, listen to each other’s stories, and work side by side. That creates real respect and connection. People aren’t seen as ‘refugees’ or ‘volunteers’ just as fellow human beings with value.

How does your partnership with RED NOSES International reflect the value of ‘looking up for hope’?

RED NOSES literally brings a smile into tough situations. Those moments of laughter and lightness remind us that there’s always something to look forward to. Our partnership shows that hope doesn’t have to be something big or complicated, sometimes a joke, a red nose or a wink is enough.

Can you share a story where solidarity or empathy between people really stood out to you during one of the Emergency Smile visits?

During one visit, the RED NOSES clown artists came in and a little girl, who was usually very withdrawn, suddenly started laughing and even ran towards them. Her mother, visibly emotional, said she hadn’t seen her daughter that happy in months. Other mothers started smiling too. That shared moment of relief.

Hope can be hard to hold onto in uncertain conditions. What gives you and the families you work with hope right now?

Knowing you’re not alone, that someone sees you or shows up for you, gives people strength to keep going. For us, it’s the resilience of families, day after day, that’s truly hopeful.

What roles do programs like Emergency Smile play in rekindling joy and emotional resilience?

They offer a break from the daily stress. Laughing, feeling seen, or watching your child light up. It recharges people emotionally. These moments help people carry on. They remind everyone that they are more than their situation.

What does the idea of ‘family’ mean in the context of displacement and urban transition?

In this context, family isn’t always about blood. It’s about who takes care of you, who you share with, who gives you a hug when needed and who stands by you when things get hard. It’s about safety, trust, and love, even far from home. In the camp, new families are built on shared experience and mutual care.

What are your hopes for future collaboration between Because We Carry and RED NOSES?

We hope to work together for a long time. For us it really makes a difference when the clowns are in the garden. As we have such a small team, we do not have capacity to interact with the children as much. When the Emergency Smile clown artists are present, the kids have a nice distraction, and this gives the moms some time to focus on themselves for a little while.

What does a typical day look like when RED NOSES clown artists arrive for a visit, and how do families react to this unique kind of interaction?

People love it!! Children are often quite shy in the beginning but then you see them opening up and they show lots of joy. Also funny to see is that parents really love the clowns too, especially the fathers!