Zeki Mehmet Ali calls for red cross volunteers: “In numbers, there is good”
“The more, the better.”
With these words, Zeki Mehmet Ali, Director of Education at the Hellenic Red Cross İskeçe Branch, issued a heartfelt call for new volunteers to join the Samaritan–Rescue and Lifeguard Division Schools, at a time when, as he said, “we are suffering from a lack of volunteerism.”
The courses are set to begin in the second half of October and are open to individuals aged 17 to 45. The 15-month training program includes both theoretical and practical instruction, internships in hospital emergency departments (E.R.), and active participation in Hellenic Red Cross missions, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience throughout their education.
Training and Community Service
According to Mehmet Ali, volunteers will receive comprehensive training not only in first aid but also in disaster response and crisis management. Drawing from his long experience in the organization, he noted that young people show the greatest interest, followed by older participants.
“The essential requirements are two — willingness and time,” he emphasized, adding:
“The more volunteers we have, the better. Unfortunately, volunteerism is something we are lacking.”
A Vital Role in Society
The Hellenic Red Cross Samaritans–Rescuers operate on local, national, and international levels, engaging in a wide range of humanitarian missions, including:
- Search and rescue operations
- Disaster relief missions
- Medical coverage for sports and cultural events
- Public education in basic first aid
For more information, interested individuals can visit www.samarites.gr.
