Tag Archives: #Greece

“From Corfu with Love”: Ionian Scouts travel to Athens and spread a strong message of solidarity!

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (43): a story from Corfu and Athens (GR)

Earlier this month, the Scouts of Corfu (Ionian Islands, Greece) organized a volunteer mission to Athens where they spent a weekend working with and for refugees and in particular the children of refugees.

The mission was part of the continued work undertaken by the Scouts of Greece to support refugees and migrants and was implemented with the assistance of the Ionian Islands Scout Region. Local businesses supported the mission with goods and services. In Athens, the Ionian Scouts were joined by Scouts from Igoumenitsa, Arta, Agrinio, Patras, and Athens.

Scouts and Guides I/O 2016

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At Scouts & Guides I/O 2016, the annual event of the European Regional Communication and Technology in Scouting and Guiding Network, due to take place in Athens, Greece, from 11 to 14 February 2016, Scouts and Guides with an interest in information technology, information systems, communication technology and their application within Scouting and Guiding will come together for 3 days.

The participants will discuss problems and challenges and get a fresh perspective on communication and technology matters from experts both inside and outside of the world of Scouting and Guiding and go home with new ideas and plans for prioritizing and structuring the IT and communication goals, processes and policies in their organization or association.

Micha (17, a Scout from Damascus): Thank you for your warm welcome on the shores of Europe!

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (37): a story from Kratigos Beach south of Mytilene on Lesbos (GR)

Scouts from the 2nd Mytilene Scout Group and the 3rd Mytilene Sea Scout Group, both members of Ελληνικός Προσκοπισμός (the Scouts of Greece, a member of the World Organization of the scout Movement), spent another eventful day on the Kratigos coast, situated south of the town of Mytilene, capital city of the Greek island of Lesbos.

Martin Schulz visits Galatsi Refugee Camp (GR): Thank you for your valuable service!

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (31): a story from Σώμα Ελληνων Προσκόπων (the Scouts of Greece).

Earlier this month, Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, accompanied by Yiannis Mouzalas, Greek Alternate Minister for Migration Policy, and Nikos Xydakis, Greek Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the Galatsi Olympic Sports Centre to make himself familiar with the situation at this large refugee centre near Athens (Greece).

President Schultz toured the facilities and spoke with a number of adults and refugee children who are temporarily staying at the Sports Hall, which had been converted into a refugee camp in September. Speaking to reporters, Schulz thanked the Greek government and the local authorities “for the enormous effort being made”, and also praised the valuable efforts of volunteers “who provide a wonderful service”.

Scouts from Σώμα Ελληνων Προσκόπων (the Scouts for Greece, members of WOSM) and other volunteers met with Schulz and journalists and talked about the living conditions at the camp and the ways in which citizens can contribute.

Mariana Fragkou explains the involvement of her association at the Galatsi Refugee Camp: “Since the beginning of October, volunteer helpers from the Scouts of Greece have been offering their services here at the Galatsi Olympic Sports Centre where refugees are hosted, in cooperation with the Municipality of Galatsi and the Greek Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reconstruction.” (See also our previous story here on europak-online.net)

On a daily basis, Scouts provide a series of services demonstrating their wide range of skills:

– Managing volunteers, Scouts and members of the general public;
– Receiving, classifying and distributing wardrobe items to refugees;
– Organising and handling the catering service;
– Receiving, classifying and distributing canned food and cleaning materials to refugees;
– Supervising the cleaning of public spaces and sanitary facilities;
– Preparing and offering two daily meals for 200 children each time;
– And creating sign posts in several languages to help refugees find their way.

Mariana also has some impressive statistics: “During this past month, 306 adult Leaders and 75 Rover Scouts have offered a total of some 3854 hours of voluntary service: if you calculated the hour at EUR 18 the Scouts’ volunteer service so far totals at some EUR 70 000!

The Greek Scouts have indicated that they would continue to actively contribute to the refugee support activities at the Galatsi Olympic Sports Centre at least till the end of November.

=> Watch this TV coverage of President Schulz’ visit: http://bit.ly/1kOCMv5

If you are involved in a similar refugee support activity in your local community, let us know and we will share it, too: just complete this form!

Text and images: Scouts of Greece 2015

To help. Because we made a promise. On our Honour.

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (22): a story from the Galatsi Olympic Centre in Athens, Greece

With a number of friends from Ελληνικός Προσκοπισμός (the Scouts of Greece, member of WOSM, the World Organization of the Scout Movement), Scout Leader Dimitris spent the weekend at the newly-opened Refugee Centre at the Galatsi Olympic Centre in Athens:

“As Scouts we have promised to help every person in every circumstance! So this is our story from this weekend in Galatsi:
Carrying hundreds of boxes, bags and sacks… Separating soaps from toys and blankets, clothes for children, women and men from canned food and medicines…. Sorting everything into piles and helping those in need to find the necessary supplies until they reach a new place they can call home!
Sometimes it reminds me of the Lord: “If I washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” And here are we, helping those caught in a difficult situation, not alone but among brothers and sisters. Thanks a lot to you Rika, Thoma, George, Helen, Myrto, Paraskeva, Teri, Sofia, Alex and all the other Scouts whose names I forget. We will continue our efforts, this afternoon, this evening, tomorrow and the following days.
To help. Because we made a promise. On our honour.”

So, how can you help? The answer is: we need your big smiles and strong hands, to give out food and drinks, to help in the distribution of clothes, shoes, toys, and to support all kinds of tasks at the Galatsi Refugee Centre: every day, from 7.30 in the morning to 22.00 at night. Our storage rooms are full and the generous donations from citizens continue to come in. This is an invitation not only to Scouts but also to the general public!

If you are involved in a similar refugee support activity in your local community, let us know and we will share it, too: just complete this form!