Photos of hands sent to us by refugees and our supporters
From its humble beginnings back in 2016, Phone Credit For Refugees has grown considerably, with a Facebook following of more than 63,000 members – a number that comprises both refugee requesters and supporters. Many of these supporters come together on Facebook every Friday for the group’s weekly fundraising effort – the Friday Conga. This ‘conga’ sees supporters make a donation, before commenting on the thread to help boost the post’s algorithm, the idea being that the more people who join in and comment, the more people will see the post and donate – building up like a conga line.
The weekly conga is an inclusive and friendly corner of Facebook, where everyone is welcome (if you haven’t joined in, we highly recommend coming along to say hi one week!) – and last week, alongside donations, we asked our supporters to tell us what PC4R means to them.
The messages we received were heart-warming, compassionate and filled with hope – and it made us realise that alongside helping refugees, the sense of community that the group has built over the years collectively lifts everyone’s spirits.
But don’t just take our word for it – here’s what our supporters, old and new, have to say about PC4R:
What does this group mean to me? Connection. It's about creating opportunities for folk to stay connected with their families and their loved ones. It about connecting those with the need to those with the resources to fill that need. It's about connecting us all to a shared community of fellow humans. It's about connecting us to a place of love and hope, where good things happen, and where our tiny contributions of money, or photos, or words, or cat GIFs, really matter.
Rachel Summers
I’m happy and grateful to be in a secure position and able to help. We are all just walking each other home, let’s help those we can.
Allison Done
I love this group, and being able to support this group, because it makes clear our common humanity. We need the same things. We need to be able to be in touch with our loved ones and to share what is most important for us. This group reminds me, especially when feeling a bit overwhelmed by difficult times and situations near and far, that there are good people making it possible for small gifts to make a big difference.
Hilary Campbell
What does PC4R mean to me? It's a simple way to make a difference with the ease of knowing it is compassionately and carefully run with the driving focus of getting life-saving and life-enhancing credit on the phones of those in need. It's being part of a group of like minded souls that you feel glad to see each week. It's a light in the darkness for all going through difficult times whatever the reason for them – donor and recipient alike. It's knowing that people care and care all the time. Not just when being seen by others or when it’s a fashionable 'cause' to support. It's being sincerely glad to be part of such a unique and special group that brightens the world for all of us.
Celia Whelan
PC4R is such a straightforward and obvious way of ensuring that those who have lost all their previous security of home, guaranteed shelter, family, relations, friends, educations, jobs, lack of fear etc, can at least communicate with those they have been separated from and also the organisations that are available to assist them. Without this 'lifeline' they are isolated, uniformed, lonely, desperate and fearful I imagine. If we can improve on any of those negative aspects of their lives then really I am very grateful that there is is mechanism whereby we can play a part in that.
Ginny Rattenbury
This group is about hope to me, especially in dark times.
Nathalie Huegler
I joined PC4R because I was looking for a way to support refugees with phone credit. After being around for a few weeks, I had many more good reasons. But honestly, I'm still supporting the group because I can charge my own battery with good vibes every Friday. In the last years I have met so many nice cats, dogs, hens and humans from all over the world as never before and every Friday I can meet them again. I would never give that up.
پترا خانم
This group and everyone in it means the world. I became an admin because I wanted to do a little bit to help and it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done!
Kay Sidebottom
I support refugees because it is purely by an accident of birth that it's not me making the heartbreaking decision to leave my country, fleeing persecution with my kids and marching them across a continent to an uncertain future.
Lucy Watson
I started donating to this group after volunteering in Calais and remember the times of getting a code from a voucher and directly topping up a phone. Now I'm very grateful for the amazing system devised and run by so many admins. Just ingenious.
Micky LeVoguer
It's a way of acting in solidarity with people and showing a little humanity when our country has such hostile policies.
Ruth Hall
For me, the main appeal is the simplicity (for the donors if not the admin team) and the directness of being able to help someone. I have huge respect for the team that pulls this together every week, without fail. It is their dedication and teamwork as much as the very real need of the service users that makes me turn up here. How can I not at least do that?!
Kath Pickering
I'm a supporter because it's a simple, direct way to make a difference. And a lovely community.
Erica Blakey
I came to PC4R to help. Because I hope that someone would help me if I were in need. Then I realised that being here also does me good. Because this group is brimming with hope, friendship, community and an opportunity to make things a little bit better.
Jane Eggers
The connection to individual people is important. Recipients and donors. PC4R is a community of individuals. The Conga is an expression of that. The postings after the Conga express it too. I love the positive, hopeful and down-to-earth humanity of PC4R. We are able to be our better selves. PC4R gives the opportunity to act in a way we would wish the world would always be. Thanks to all who make it possible. We are all connected – may that connection grow.
Judith Matthews
If you commented on our Friday Conga to tell us why you support us, but you can’t see your comment above, fear not! We received so many amazing replies, we will be publishing more later in the year.
And if you’re not already part of our growing community and have felt inspired by these words to join us in some capacity, you’re so welcome! You can request to join our closed Facebook group here, make a donation to help top up a refugee’s phone with life-saving credit here, or apply to volunteer with us here. Plus, make sure you never miss a Friday Conga again, by signing up to our mailing list for weekly reminders.
With gratitude,
Team PC4R