I gave the children their pictures as I had promised them (they were not there on our previous visit). They were thrilled. This tiny gesture brought more smiles and laughs than I have ever seen in our rather-spoilt children when they are given expensive games and toys.

It is so hard to deal with the feelings that are stirred up when I see this inequality and injustice up close. Especially when it is happening to children. When I looked at the new pictures I took, again I saw my own child in their faces. How can I describe how it feels to see such deprivation and then go home to my privilege ? To walk through the filth and rubbish that is their home and then walk through town with the its lights, decorations and people everywhere shopping (it was just before Christmas) ? To know that there is nothing I can do. Not really. A small gesture here and there. A post on this blog. And to be totally honest, I don't want to think about it. It's too hard. But then, I have the luxury to be able to switch off. These kids do not.

Today it's freezing. There is snow on the mountain and it's raining on and off. As I am writing this, there are hundreds of cold, hungry children who will be out on the streets selling tissues, collecting rubbish, begging. The settlement will be muddy and life must be that much more miserable. I am imagining that after work has finished, families will be huddled around their very dangerous makeshift wood-burning stoves. Trying to keep warm in a place like this as difficult as trying to keep clean with no running water.

I really cannot find the words to descibe how this community lives. I have tried to put it across in my posts but this is totally inadequate. I have been a visitor, an observer. Able to go home and take a hot shower, to wash of the dirt of this rubbish dump. What I cannot know or imagine is how people can live in this desperate situation and still find it in themselves to smile with a stranger. A stranger who can offer them nothing except a photograph. A stranger who would like them to have what I have but knowing that's not going to happen.

I cannot know what it is like to live a life like this. And again have to say I am ashamed of us as human beings that we allow this inbalance to exist. We could eliminate poverty. We have the means to do that but not the will. So I have no good news to bring you about the community at Votanikos. No heartwarming anecdotes. It was worse because nothing has changed.

Panayote Dimitras of the Greek Helsinki Monitor informs me that the Mayor visited Votanikos and he is translating what he had to say about it. Perhaps, if more officials do go and see for themselves, they will be moved to do something. I wish I felt more positive about that but I don't.