Emergency Relief for Refugee Families in Greece

Dear Friends,

Once again we cannot stress how grateful we are to all of you and to Global Giving for the invaluable response and support to the ongoing refugee crisis in Greece.

Our work with so many refugee families, after Greece became the gateway to Europe for a record number of refugees and migrants, has left us with mixed feelings. On the one hand with your help and hands on aid from both local and International volunteers we have been witness and instrumental to keeping children and families alive, fed and clothed, while on the otherhand we experience a growing sense of futility because of the lack of coordination, decent housing, health care, safety, education and programmes of intergration.

Unfortunately despite the huge influx of aid incompetence on all sides has led to the problem becoming more acute, funds have been wasted, people have become mere numbers, resentment has been fueled and we have seen a rise in violence and crime. To add to the growing discontent Greek families too are beginning to live like refugees in their own country because of the ongoing financial crisis . The result has had lethal cosequences and it has come to affect the more vulnerable groups of refugees the most! The worst cosequence however is the drop in morale and the growth of indifference because of a problem that has dragged on and that doesn't seem to have a quick fix solution. Children might not be dying on the shores of Greece but they are living without hope for a dignified future!!

In order to fight the lack of solidarity we have introduced our project H.U.G (Humans United Globally) where refugees and local residents are called upon to work and live together. We have managed to get both refugees and Greek citizens in need both participating as volunteers and sharing free art, music, sports and psychology workshops in order to strenghthen their relationship and to find common ground from which they can build a better, safer and more productive future. We are also in the process of setting up decent accommodation in the centre of Athens both for Greek students in need and refugee families starting a new life. It goes without saying that we are in dire need of funds to keep reaching our goals.

In an environment where the word "refugee" carries with it so many negative conotations because of the way International politics is dealing with this humanitarian crisis, Kid & Family is desperately trying to value each and every human being that has been displaced due to war and poverty. Through ou project H.U.G  we have made it our mission to join forces with other NGO's in order to find a way to turn this humanitarian disaster into a learning tool for all of us that want children and families to live in peace and prosperity.

TOGETHER WE CAN INVEST IN THE GROWTH OF SOLIDARITY RATHER THAN THAT OF DISCONTENT

Help us extend a HUG to all the children and families in need, with your help whether it is through your donations or by sharing our call for help with your friends, family and community you will be instrumental in keeping the flame of humanitarian aid alive and our resolve as strong as the harsh reality requires!