July 9, 2022

We Love our Local Partners

by Amber Bauer
Four smiling women, one wearing a hijab, are standing closely together indoors, capturing a joyful selfie. Their camaraderie reflects strong grassroots support within the diverse communities of Europe. | Support refugees across Europe

We love our local partners and we love working together. So this is a photo that fills me with joy as Ruhi, Jess N & Jess W swapped notes during my recent visit to Greece.

In Athens, Ruhi of Refugee Biriyani & Bananas is supporting people with second rejections, cardboard collectors and people released from detention with food vouchers and more, with plans for a new distro centre in progress.

Jess N of Project Armonia is busy relocating their professional kitchen from Samos to Athens ready to start cooking 500-1000 meals a day so that people who are asylum seekers or refugees can enjoy at least one real meal each day.

Whilst Jess W of FORGE for humanity is supporting more than 500 men in navigating the complicated and hostile asylum, family reunification, housing and jobs processes through their case working and sign posting services.

Charities and grassroots volunteers fill gaps left by governments and, in Athens and across Greece, those gaps are huge.

Ruhi, Jess and Jess are three examples of incredible commitment, driven by passion to help right this wrong. They and we can’t do it alone and we’re each grateful for your continued support as amazing volunteers, supporters and donors . Thank you (and don’t stop now!)

RBB’s food vouchers help the card collectors – who earn just €0,10 per kilo of collected cardboard – save their hard earned cash for their other daily needs, without going hungry.
Project Armonia’s professional kitchen has arrived from Samos and is mid-installation. Soon it will be providing the only hot meal of the day to 500-1000 people.
Jess is on the roof “garden” at their new FFH offices. Their clients/service users can access this open space too.

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