BRIDGES - Greek Co-Operation

On December 16, 2019, the teams of ANTIGONE and USB held their first community meeting in Greece within the framework of the BRIDGES project with the school community of the 12th Vocational School of Thessaloniki. 90 young people from Afghanistan, Greece, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Guinea, Kurdistan, Albania and the Roma community with their teachers, the headmaster and members of local organizations attended the meeting.

The 12th Vocational School of Thessaloniki (12th EPAL) is a school in the western part of the city that welcomes Roma teenagers. Teenagers from Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Greece and other countries, refugees and immigrants. We asked the children to work together, to have a meaningful dialogue and to choose common creative activities in which all should participate. Initial results have shown that this approach creates the basis for a communication bridge that contributes to mutual understanding and respect.

Lefteris, a Roma boy from Dendropotamos, the largest Roma settlement in Greece with 4,000 inhabitants and a variety of problems (crime, illiteracy, school leaks, drugs), was looking for a vocational school. He decided to register in the 12th EPAL, because his friends and also his brother are there and there is no vocational school in his neighborhood. He also had that the teachers and the school community try their best, have experience and know how to behave towards children with learning and language difficulties.

Lefteris about his involvement with BRIDGES: "It's a great program because it helps us get even closer to the children, get to know each other better and do activities together. I have participated in all the activities and meetings that have taken place so far. I would like to play football together because I grew up with this sport and I like it. And with music, of course, because I love playing music."

Paschalis went to the 12th EPAL for the first time this year too, because of his friends and because they told him that it is a more accessible school. "We have a nice atmosphere, the teachers are great, they help us to understand the lessons. We have refugees who are very friendly to us and we have a good time in the classroom. Some of the refugee children understand Greek and speak the language very well. There is also a teacher who supports them in Greek and I see that they are developing over time. The BRIDGES program is great because with this program we will understand more easily what refugees like, what they can do, what they like to do, we will become more attached to them. I dream of going on trips and doing even more activities. I think they want it very much. It is very useful to get to know another culture, another religion. I really want that. We can have a much better friendship between us. I'm on the soccer team too and I would also like to make music."

Lazaros is in his second year at 12th EPAL, waiting to graduate high school. He plays basketball and participates in the BRIDGES program. "It's a very nice project, I'm so happy with everything we started. I will be involved in the theatre and definitely do some sports. It is good that we are approaching the refugees. The Greeks and the refugees have to get rid of racism together to work together. Through these actions we are getting closer to them and they to us. I dream of going on excursions and doing more activities. I think they want it very much. It is very useful to get to know another culture, another religion, I really want that. We can have a much better friendship between us. I'm on the soccer team, I'd like to make music too."

Abdul Khale and Amin, refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan, want to play football, boxing, swimming and cycling. They really like the sport because it frees them from the pressure that is put on them. "We get along well, we have a great time. But mostly we hang out with "our" kids. This program, the meetings and the activities that started in school are great, perfect because they help us to get really close to the children from Greece, but also to the children from other countries who are also refugees and immigrants. We want to be together in school. The school will help us in the future and we are happy, when other children take us in."