Jessica Duronio, 7/15/17
(Athens, Greece) — Tucked away in the busy streets of Athens, Melissa Day Center is a place where refugee women can go for the day to escape the monotony of life in the refugee camps. The day center, founded by Nina Christopolou, strives to provide refugee women with a sense of normalcy and community while offering language and psychosocial activities. This video takes you on a look inside.
By: Haley Argeros 7/26/17
(Athens, Greece)–Refugee camps all over Greece are implementing programs geared towards women while they await their fates in Europe. The women, from across several Middle Eastern nations know that the language and cultural practices of their new homes will be far different from what they know. Women’s programs for refugees across Greece are trying to address those concerns. The story of those efforts can be seen in the faces of those involved. Continue reading Female refugees prepare for a new life far from home
Melissa Deatsch, 7/18/17
(Athens, Greece) — The plight of unattended minors remains a pressing concern for those assisting refugees in Greece.
OU Refugee Reporter Melissa Deatsch brings us this look inside one of those centers helping children who are trying to navigate the journey to safety on their own. Continue reading Searching for solutions for refugee children on their own (video)
By: Mary Siring
(Kera Tepe Refugee Camp, Lesvos, Greece.) — Individuals from all parts of the world are building bridges and creating avenues of expression within Greek refugee camps with the arts.
Refugees waiting in Greek refugee camps are given food, shelter, and toiletries- the necessities. The next step in creating more humane conditions is creating avenues for expression and ways to pass the time for residents.
By: Michael Blackburn
(Ritsona Refugee Camp, Greece) — Inside of the big barbed wire fence that encompasses the camp area lies a unique space. At first glance this may seem like an old shipping area defaced with graffiti, murals of space, and mermaids, but it is actually the Child Friendly Space (CFS) of Ritsona Refugee camp.
Continue reading Refugee camp volunteers disguise play as therapy
By Melissa Deatsch
(Athens, Greece) — As the number of refugees flowing into Greece has lowered from the dramatically high numbers of 2015, the crisis has shifted focus to improving the quality of life of the refugees inevitably stuck in limbo for many months or even years.
Continue reading New dilemma in refugee crisis: how to educate refugees stuck in Greek limbo
By: Mallary Becker
(Athens, Greece) — Maryam Sultani is 19 years old, she came to Greece from Iran in 2016.
“We have an enemy in Iran and Afghanistan,” she said.
Her plan is to go to Sweden after Greece. She wants to learn English because she feels it is absolutely necessary; to be able to communicate with other people, just that. Continue reading English: The priority language among refugees in Greece
By Abigaile Kootsillas, 7/25/17
(Athens, Greece) — Greece’s far right-wing party, the Golden Dawn, is promising the possibility of protests if the government moves forward with plans to fully integrate refugee students with Greek students in the school system. Continue reading Alt-Right Greek party takes stance against refugee school integration
OU Refugee Report 