A monster of a refugee centreIt is one year since the first closed controlled centre on the island of Samos opened. Funded by the EU with 43 million euros, the centre is intended to be a model for other reception structures. Looking like a prison from the outside, with fences and x-ray scanners at the …
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Advent Crowdfunding: 25 days, 25,000 for OHF2022 has been an exciting year that has brought many changes. OHF moved to Athens: we said goodbye to Lesvos and built a new community centre in the Greek capital. Soon after its opening, it became clear that there was a great need for such a place, both from …
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Meet Hadi! Hadi started as a community volunteer a couple of weeks ago and has already had such a huge impact on both the OHF team and our beneficiaries. Originally working as a volunteer teacher at the International School of Peace at OHF on Lesvos, Hadi is now helping specifically with community outreach and involvement …
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Meet Krisha! Krisha has just left us after having spent 3 weeks volunteering for OHF and we can’t believe how quickly the time passed! As a doctor back in the UK, Krisha (in true doctor spirit) chose to spend her 3-week break from work continuing to help others… how she finds the time we don’t …
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The One Happy Family Safe Passage socks are back and now available to order!If this year you’re looking for a Christmas present with a twist, why not get your loved ones (or yourself!) a pair of our colourful Safe Passage socks (available in two designs)? Order can be made here. Our popular and very tasty …
read moreTödliche Politik an Europas Grenzen – SRF Podcast (only in German) Netflix released “The Swimmers”, the story of refugee sisters that landed in Greece
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ShipwrecksOur hearts are, once again, broken for those involved in the two fatal shipwrecks which occurred on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, 6th of October 2022 off the coast of Lesvos and Kythera. A total of at least 27 dead have been recovered, but people are still missing. We grieve for the lives lost …
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Mental healthOn the 10th of October we celebrated the world’s mental health day. Caring for our mental health can be difficult at the best of times. Often, our lives are so full of varying stresses, responsibilities and alternative focuses that caring for our own mental health, and that of those around us, can drop to …
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Fire in Mavrovouni CampSeptember 27, there was information on social media about a fire in Mavrovouni Camp on Lesvos. A blaze set several containers on fire, luckily no one got injured. However, some people lost their belongings and paper which is a hard set back, as it is very complicated for asylum seekers and refugees …
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Updates from Victoria Community Centre and our Partners It feels like just yesterday when we first met with Silvia and JB from A Drop in the Ocean at Victoria Square to discuss a potential collaboration. Now, at Victoria Community Centre, we’ve been working as main partners since March 2022. A Drop in the Ocean aims …
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Last week the OHF team, alongside those from our partner organisations, came together for an evening of conversation, food and music on our wonderful rooftop space here at Victoria Community Centre.Between busy schedules and important meetings, it can sometimes be hard to catch each other, so events like these are crucial for everyone to come …
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Meet Emma! Emma, an art therapist and textile designer from Scotland, volunteered with us in the summer. With her calm, friendly, helpful presence; open mind and big heart, she worked at the Café and re-started the art table, where she facilitated kids and adults alike to express themselves through arts and crafts.Fariba, who worked very …
read moreAsk us a question:What would you like to know about people on the move and/or about their Situation in Greece? Are you interested in anything particular? Tell us what you do:Do you also work together with people from other countries of origin, do you support asylum seekers in any way? We are curious to hear …
read moreEviction of oldest camp near Athens The Eleonas camp was scheduled to be closed in mid-August. This led to clashes between residents and activists and the police. The migrants do not want to be transferred again to a new “temporary” place, and long for long-term solutions and stability. Nevertheless, by the end of the year, all …
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VICTORIA COMMUNITY CENTRE Latest news from the Victoria Community Centre and our caféThe OHF café is a hub of activity and we have been busy with visitors, young and old, over the last few weeks! Alongside providing orange juice, coffee, WiFi and a space to rest and socialise, the café is also a place for …
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This month there was another OHF event in Switzerland. On Saturday, August 27, a charity day was held at the Lido in Basel. It was possible to register in advance for beach volleyball, paddle tennis and bocce tournaments.The whole day was spent playing and sweating (an OHF team consisting of board members, volunteers and former …
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As announced in the last newsletter, we say goodbye here to our coordination team member, Yahia. Yahia has been a valuable team member for several years and we would like to thank him from the bottom of our hearts for everything he’s done for One Happy Family. Yahia, with your calmed, level-headed and reflective nature, …
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