The Hellenic Initiative Australia announced four new grants totalling approximately AU$53,000 which have been awarded to Greek charities Emfasis Foundation, Ithaca Laundry, Mazi Gia to Paidi, and Wise Greece from its 2021 Winter Appeal.
The first round of grants to Emfasis Foundation (€10,000), Ithaca Laundry (€11,745), Mazi Gia to Paidi (€9,500) and Wise Greece (€6,000) will address food insecurity, provide basic necessities, help with utility bills and temporary accommodation for many vulnerable and isolated people in Greece.
Thanking the Winter Appeal donors their generosity, THI Australia President, Mr Nicholas Pappas AM, said that offering financial aid to these organisations would not be possible without their support.
Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill, THI Australia’s CEO, who is currently in Athens and has volunteered with several of its partner charities said, “it is saddens me to see so many elderly people who are on their own sleeping rough in Athens and Piraeus while it is only 7 degrees.”
“I also had the opportunity to welcome Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Mr Arthur Spyrou, as a volunteer at Chalandri laiki with the Boroume Farmers’ Market program and at Piraeus with Emfasis and the Mobile Support Unit for the homeless and destitute,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“My time in Athens has enabled me to witness that many challenges remain for the vulnerable communities we support and the increase in the cost of utilities, such as electricity and water will add to the daily struggles of many individuals and families who are already living close to the poverty line.”
“The need for our support remains great during these challenging times,” Ms Zamagias-Hill said.
“Australians should know our partner charities will ensure that even the smallest donation goes a long way to helping vulnerable people in Greece.”
Actions taken by the charities awarded:
Emfasis Foundation will support urgent cases requiring temporary accommodation for homeless and vulnerable people, help avoid the disconnection of utility services for families with minor children and elderly people with chronic health issues, and provide survival kits with food items, clothing and hygiene products.
THI Australia’s newest partner charity Ithaca Laundry, has received a grant to enable a person from a disadvantaged background to be employed for twelve months as a driver of a mobile laundry van and participate in Ithaca’s reintegration program. This employee is responsible for the laundering of the clothing for the homeless in Athens.
Ithaca Laundry was founded in 2015 by three students, who after watching a program about a similar project in Australia, decided to create the first free mobile laundry for the homeless in Greece and Europe to improve living conditions and increase social inclusion through hygiene services, reintegrate vulnerable people into the labour market, while raising awareness on homelessness and poverty. Each month a mobile laundry van receives approximately 250 visits by 100 beneficiaries. Clothes are left with the driver and volunteers and the beneficiaries collect their laundered clothing the same day.
Mazi Gia to Paidi will provide immediate relief to children and their families by providing 30 eligible family members with monthly supermarket vouchers for six months. Beneficiaries will also be able to seek the support of a social worker and the Counselling Helpline provided by Mazi Gia to Paidi.
Wise Greece will deliver approximately one tonne of food products to elderly residents at the Konstanteio Care Home in Kavala and one tonne of food products to young children living under the care of Kivotos tou Kosmou in Epirus and Kalamata.
THI Australia has a secure online donation page and if you wish to donate to one of these partner charities please do so. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia.
