September 30, 2024

Kindness at Selfm.aid Skills Factory for Refugees in Samos

by Amber Bauer
In a workshop setting, a woman beams with kindness while holding gray shorts emblazoned with "I have SKILLS." as she shares knowledge with fellow refugees. | Support refugees across Europe in Greece, France, the UK and the Balkans

Now I have your attention with the image of boxer shorts emblazoned with “I Have Skills”, welcome to The Skills Factory 2.0! This inspiring initiative is changing lives on the Greek island of Samos, and its incredible impact is powered by humanity, kindness and a commitment to help refugees rebuild their lives.

The Skills Factory, co-founded by the amazing Julia (pictured), is a grassroots NGO that creates opportunities for asylum seekers to learn, grow and contribute while fostering a sense of dignity. It offers 25 volunteering opportunities to asylum seekers from the overcrowded Samos refugee camp – Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC) – where conditions are bleak. But the ripple effect is even greater – an additional 1,000 people benefit from this programme every month.

So how does this happen? What makes the Skills Factory so special?

Because… trainees learn valuable skills whilst offering essential services. They cut hair in the barber workshop, repair mobile phones in the electronics workshop, sew boxer shorts (and much more) in the sewing workshop, print t-shirts and bags in the screen-printing workshop, prepare meals in the kitchen, and run a laundry service. These activities not only provide practical skills but also meet daily needs successfully creating a vibrant and supportive community.

In a bustling barbershop reminiscent of those found in Samos, Greece, two barbers expertly work on their clients. One client beams while seated, as the focused barber meticulously cuts hair. Tools and mirrors create a familiar backdrop for this lively scene. | Support refugees across Europe in Greece, France, the UK and the Balkans
Happy faces at the barbers!
Two refugees hang laundry on clotheslines in a sunlit outdoor area with stone flooring and greenery, sharing skills and kindness in their simple daily routine. | Support refugees across Europe in Greece, France, the UK and the Balkans
Trustee Merel helps with the laundry for the afternoon

And the setting couldn’t be more different from the harsh conditions of the refugee camp. The Skills Factory is located in a beautiful space by the sea. It’s a place filled with hope, energy, and positivity – a world apart from the camp where people are forced to live for weeks, months and even years. I had the privilege of spending time with wonderful individuals like Adnan, Hatem, and Ahmed. It was truly inspiring to see them engage in these transformative activities and truly enjoy their work.

A person stands by a multicolored fence on the island of Samos, overlooking a serene body of water with majestic mountains in the background. | Support refugees across Europe in Greece, France, the UK and the Balkans
The Skills Factory is in a beautiful location by the sea – filled with hope, energy, and positivity.
A group of refugees walks along a wire fence near a large, gray building complex under a clear blue sky, with dry grass and trees in the foreground. | Support refugees across Europe in Greece, France, the UK and the Balkans
A world apart from the high security, prison-like camp.

One of the most essential parts of this project is the laundry service. Recently, forRefugees funded the purchase of washing machines and dryers which are now an absolute lifeline for the 3,000+ people living in the government-run CCAC. Shockingly, these are the only laundry machines available to them. The camp itself lacks proper infrastructure with running water available for only one-third of the day. Despite having a laundry facility, it was never opened by the camp authorities, leaving people without access to this essential service.

A laundry room on Samos features four washing machines, a green plastic basin atop one, and various items scattered on shelves and the floor. Overhead, exposed ductwork and pipes are visible, echoing stories of refugees seeking a fresh start amidst the fabric of daily life. | Support refugees across Europe in Greece, France, the UK and the Balkans
A person in a yellow shirt demonstrates their skills by hanging colorful clothes on a clothesline outdoors, framed by trees and a fence, creating a welcoming scene akin to offering kindness to refugees. | Support refugees across Europe in Greece, France, the UK and the Balkans

It’s hard to comprehend such conditions, but it’s why initiatives like the Skills Factory are so important. They help fill the gaps left by inadequate government services and provide more than just practical help – they offer dignity, hope and humanity to people who are otherwise being pushed to their limits by hostility.

As we look around at the world today, it’s clear that refugees and asylum seekers face unimaginable challenges, both physically and mentally. Governments often neglect them, pushing them to the brink with policies designed to strip them of their human rights and dignity. But we, as individuals and as a community, can stand on the right side of history. We can choose to be part of the solution by supporting and celebrating initiatives like The Skills Factory where compassion and human kindness are at the heart of everything.

Let’s continue to lift each other up and empower these amazing individuals. Their resilience, humanity and strength deserve our support. At forRefugees, we can help ensure that the people in Greece and beyond not only survive but thrive. Together we can create a world where every person, no matter their background or circumstance, has the opportunity to develop their skills and rebuild their lives.

Join us in supporting kindness, humanity and the incredible impact we can have when we come together to help refugees.

Three women standing outside on a sunny day in Samos, Greece, smiling at the camera. Casually dressed and with laundry hanging in the background, these resilient refugees share a moment of joy and solidarity. | Support refugees across Europe in Greece, France, the UK and the Balkans
The Skills Factory co-founder, Julia, with forRefugees Trustees Merel and Amber

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