Community Center on Lesvos

"Work WITH the people,
not FOR them"

The One Happy Family Community Center is a place which is built and run together with people from refugee camps on the Greek island of Lesvos.

Who we are and what we do

Learn about the hisory and the people behind the One Happy Family community center.

Volunteer with us

We are always looking for people which support us on the ground as Volunteers.

Help us to be able to help

Your money keeps the center up and running. You can donate via bank transfer or PayPal.

From our blog

  • ‘Sometimes a Mandala can save a life’
    Dilan Siper I came to Lesvos, because … ‘A feeling of powerlessness overwhelmed me. I am active in a left-wing student group, but because of my study I didn’t have a lot of time to focus on it. Added to this, political work is very frustrating. You put so much effort in it, but you barely see any results. I was at a point that I wanted to work […]

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Update from #Lesvos, #Greece

After violent fight's in #Moria, hundreds of people left the camp, because they did not feel safe. Amongst them many injured, women and children. Grassroots, NGO's and solidarity groups are jumping in to support. Lesvos Solidarity - Pikpa and Humans 4 Humanity are providing emergency shelters. Attika Human Support and many others assist with transportation, food, tents, sleeping bags etc.

Since months, the #Refugeecamp Moria on the Island of Lesvos is overcrowded and far away from providing all #humanrights or any kind of #humandignity. People are sleeping in tents or overfilled iso-boxes. There is a lack of medical assistance, legal assistance and even basic human needs are not covered. More than 6'000 people are living under these conditions in Moria. A camp, which is supposed to host a maximum of 2'500. The frustration is high, since some of those people are living in Moria since almost two years.

Neither police authorities nor camp management or any other other responsible body is able to provide the necessary protection and safety for everyone living in Moria.

"The situation is fucked up!", like many solidarity people say.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, European Asylum Support Office, Greek Asylum Service - Υπηρεσία Ασύλου/Υπ. Μεταναστευτικής Πολιτικής, European Parliament, it is time to act!

It is time to #opentheisland and provide #humanrights.

www.politikalesvos.gr/agries-symplokes-sti-moria-se-katastasi-ektaktis-anagkis-to-pikpa/ ... See MoreSee Less

7 hours ago

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great work all involved. it's times likenthis that great organisations and individuals step up.

Fu**** up is an understatement!! Neither the Police nor the so called camp management could organise a piss up in a brewery. They have been so ineffective it is criminal. In fact it is my opinion they should be held accountable for the pain and suffering of those who are forced to stay there. There is nothing to be gained by keeping so many refugees captive on the Greek Islands.

Sabah Hamidi

Overpopulation is the first nightmare for the residents of Moria. This alone causes lack of all basic needs and services. After this multible nightmare, people have to face enemies and nightmares of their previous lives. Religious war is one of them, and is happening in Moria right now I think.

I am a refugee from Syria. I live in Moria 10 months ago. My name is Ali. I am 23 years old. I am alone here, but I do not feel safe every day. There are problems and wars in the camp. It is the worst place I see in my life, because there is no safety and no peace. The Greek government does not give us any rights. Here I come from my search for peace but where is peace😢😢

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'One of my most memorable moments during my volunteer ship, was when we were serving food. We were all singing and dancing. It wasn’t just about distributing meals. It was about giving them a good time and enjoying the moment. It brought tears to my eyes.’

Giulia Berti (25) spent two weeks in our community center. Read about her experience on our blog: ohf-lesvos.org/en/2018/05/one-happy-family-teaches-you-how-to-be-kinder/ ... See MoreSee Less

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'One Happy Family teaches you how to be kinder' - One Happy Family Community Center Lesvos OHF

ohf-lesvos.org

Giulia Berti She wanted to go to Lesvos before, but her family told her not to. It was a friend of Giulia Berti (25) who told her about One Happy Family and made her decide to volunteer at the communi...

6 days ago

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Christine Garnier

bravo Giulia

جيوليا صاحبة الابتسامة الدائمة

The whole OHF is happy if you keep coming back 🤗😍

Nice laugh✌

🙂 thank you! Of course I will keep coming back!

Nice.laugh

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#Pressreview: More than 1.400 people arrived on Lesvos this month. In the same time, more than 3.300 have been stopped by the Turkish Coast Guards and/or police. The week started with horrible news: While trying to cross the sea from Turkey to Lesvos, 7 people died - including three children. On top, the greek government passed a new law to speed up asylum procedures - and received huge criticism from several human rights groups for not considering refugee rights. **English** Bodies of seven Afghan refugees found off Turkish coast: coastguard - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-turkey/bodies-of-seven-afghan-refugees-found-off-turkish-coast-coastguard-idUSKCN1IG2GH Greece seeks to speed refugee processing, ease camp overcrowding - https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-05-16/greece-seeks-speed-refugee-processing-ease-camp-overcrowding Afghanistan remains unsuitable and unsafe for returning refugees - http://aprrn.info/aprrn-statement-afghanistan-remains-unsuitable-and-unsafe-for-returning-refugees/ Asset-based grant-making in response to Forced Displacement - https://medium.com/@chrislmendonca/asset-based-grant-making-in-response-to-forced-displacement-d6c200d765c3

#Pressreview: More than 1.400 people arrived on Lesvos this month. In the same time, more than 3.300 have been stopped by the Turkish Coast Guards and/or police.
The week started with horrible news: While trying to cross the sea from Turkey to Lesvos, 7 people died - including three children.
On top, the greek government passed a new law to speed up asylum procedures - and received huge criticism from several human rights groups for not considering refugee rights.

**English**

Bodies of seven Afghan refugees found off Turkish coast: coastguard - www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-turkey/bodies-of-seven-afghan-refugees-found-off-turki...

Greece seeks to speed refugee processing, ease camp overcrowding - www.pri.org/stories/2018-05-16/greece-seeks-speed-refugee-processing-ease-camp-overcrowding

Afghanistan remains unsuitable and unsafe for returning refugees - aprrn.info/aprrn-statement-afghanistan-remains-unsuitable-and-unsafe-for-returning-refugees/

Asset-based grant-making in response to Forced Displacement - medium.com/@chrislmendonca/asset-based-grant-making-in-response-to-forced-displacement-d6c200d765c3 ... See MoreSee Less

7 days ago

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😭

The dangers of seven asylum seekers were the worst news for us Afghans. A large number of refugees got stuck in Turkey, as well as several thousands of refugees in the island of Lesbos, are waiting for a travel permit. Only what immigrants should do is to speed up their cases.

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