Syrian Refugees Need Baby Carriers To Safely Transport Kids. Here's How To Help

One mom has found a way to help Syrian refugee parents from thousands of miles away.

Cristal Logothetis, a woman who lives in Glendale, California, told The Huffington Post that she was horrified after seeing the photograph of the body of Alan Kurdi, a 3-year-old Syrian boy who drowned while attempting to reach the Greek island of Kos with his family.

The photo compelled Logothetis, who was at one point an undocumented immigrant in the U.S., to help others who are being affected by the crisis. After doing more research into the issue and seeing photos of refugee parents who were trekking with their children, she decided to create an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to raise money to purchase and deliver baby carriers, slings and wraps for Syrian moms and dads on the Greek island of Kos. 

The campaign, which has a goal of $2,500, had raised more than $1,200 as of Wednesday morning. And so far, the mom has collected around 150 baby carriers with about 100 more on the way. 

 "Moms specifically -- this [mission] really hit a nerve with them," Logothetis told HuffPost of the outpouring of support she's received from strangers who want to help. "I've been getting packages literally from everywhere."

Logothetis said that the photos of parents carrying their children in search of safety -- often making the journey on foot -- got her thinking. 

"I kept seeing pictures of moms holding babies in their arms. Babies are so heavy. I can't even shop [holding my child] ... for 15 minutes," she said. "The idea they're walking [with their children] to get to safety is amazing." 

The mom thought that getting baby carriers to these parents would make their journeys further into Europe a little bit easier. She decided to deliver the items to Kos, since many refugees have been traveling to the island before making their way to other European countries. 

"This is basically a way to make a meaningful and direct impact on their lives," Logothetis told HuffPost. "The minute they get that carrier, it's going to help them."

Logothetis said that a volunteer will take the collected carriers and fly with them to Kos in October. While on the island, the volunteer, along with some of Logothetis' family members who live there, will pass out supplies to parents in need. The carriers may end up helping refugees and migrants from other nations who have also arrived to Kos. 

To learn more about Logothetis' initiative or to donate, visit her crowdfunding campaign here.  

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