By Vicky Iglessi | Project Leader
Dear friends and supporters,
"Mom, I want to sleep. To sleep forever," said Agni's little son, and he lost consciousness. It happened on July 23, 2018, during the wildfires in the town of Mati, east of Athens, after hours of struggle to stay alive.
On 23 July 2018, wildfires broke out in forests and villages across the Attica Region of southern Greece, primarily in areas surrounding Athens. 100 people were confirmed dead and more than 600 injured. 700 people were rescued by the coast guard and the navy after fleeing to beaches to escape the flames. Residents in the coastal region in western Attica were requested to abandon their homes, and hundreds of people were evacuated. Almost 94% of the cities in Rafina and Marathonas were affected by wildfires and it is estimated that more than 4,000 people were affected in total, with about 3,200 hectares burned, including forests, residential areas, playgrounds, and significant social infrastructure. Around 3,236 homes were damaged in the fires, with about one third of them (908 categorized as “red”) assessed as irreparable by the Ministry of Infrastructure. In addition, electricity and water networks also suffered severe damage and were significantly disrupted for a long period.
After 2 years many are struggling to rebuild their homes. Others struggle to cure the scars on their bodies from burns. Others fight to live without those they lost. Mati became a source of pain and solidarity. A sourceof courage and sacrifice.
Kids & Family is still helping these families to survive through a mobile HELP STATION 12h/day. It offers on-site medical care, psychological assistance, food, clothing, essentials, toolboxes, internet access, mobile phones, etc. In addition, the organization also organizes activities for children and provides social support. It also develops solidarity and public awareness actions.
Children, teenagers and youngsters have not left those moments behind them… they still remember. What influenced and hurt them most was not the fire, the swimming in the darkness, the shortness of breath, the fear. It was the image of their crying parents, being scared, bending, aggressive with each other, isolated, not being able to tell them, "here I am"!
We need your support, in order to relief these families. Social solidarity functions in multiple levels, since it cultivates human sympathy and sensitivity, cares for vulnerable people and strengthens their dignity, contributes to the creation of just social structures and promotes the common good of society.
Kids & Family, during this enormously difficult period for kids and youngsters, undertakes initiatives in order to protect their life as well as their wellbeing. We offer food in school, that according to a survey that we contacted in cooperation with Panteion University (Athens), in order to prevent the affects of hunger to mental and physical health.
They say that children are our future. We say that children can only change the future if adults take care of the present!!!. So, future is NOW.
Kid & Family can only achieve its goals with the help of generous donations from supporters and community members. With their support we are confident that our decision to establish Kid & Family is justified every day and proves to be the most appropriate to face all contemporary challenges. Economic crisis its effects does not only activate mechanisms of adaptation, but also evolution. Thus, new horizons are opened in the implementation of actions that have a direct or indirect positive imprint on society.
Are you willing to donate any amount to help us reach our goal?
◊ Every donation makes a difference and takes us one step closer to building a better community. All amounts are tax deductible in your country. Use GlobalGiving receipt. Ιf you visit Greece please contact us, so you rent our airbnb in the historical center of Athens, in a luxury flat next to the Acropolis, at a very attractive price.
◊ Come as a volunteer! We offer you a beautiful independent room during your stay.
◊ Become a distance-volunteer by posting on your social media pages our GlobalGiving projects:
goto.gg/1520 Kids in hunger in Greece
goto.gg/28123 Kids with mental disorders
goto.gg/22577 Refugee kids
goto.gg/34750 kids fire victims
◊. Dedicate this years’ Thanksgiving (2020) a monthly fee to help our causes. A stable though small help gives as the ability and security to help our children in need.
◊. Dedicate a dinner or any festive day with your friends and families to our causes, invite friends to support these efforts and send us your help on GlobalGiving.
We kindly ask you to stay by our side and support our vision, by spreading the news and creating a strong network of supporters and donators for the people in need. United we can do the impossible.
Stay in touch and please remember that every end is a new beginning …with your help!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Cordially
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