Bro left with his family for France – “finally the time has come!”, he said.

The approval of their relocation was accepted with great happiness by the parents and children of the family. Bro and his wife Hafsa have three children. The names of the three children begin with the letter B, like their dad’s name – “I didn’t do it on purpose, but now I like it“, says Bro. The boys are Basma, Basem, and Basima.

Their father’s dream for them is to go to school, hence they participated in all the Greek and English language courses that took place in the organization’s accommodation structure in Peania, where they were hosted until they left for France.

The three B-boys were very good students!

“I don’t want my children to be like me. I want to give them the opportunity to go to school – I don’t want to give them just a job“. And that’s what Bro does; always enhances his children to learn, as they learned Greek and English for as long as they stayed in the accommodation structure.

In France, Bro has left behind his troubled memories and is willing to build his life from the beginning, as he built homes in his homeland. Now he will build a life that will be better than he had in his own country and for himself and his family.

*Bro’s family was hosted in the organization’s accommodation structure in Paiania operated under the ESTIA, the Emergency Support to Integration and Accommodation programme, implemented by the UNHCR and funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

Little Haneen will live in Greece and she will become an ophthalmologist

“When I grow up I will become an ophthalmologist!”

And we not only wish it to the 12-year-old Haneen but through the learning of the Greek language and the other implemented activities we are trying to support her to make the dream come true!

All these are happening in the SolidarityNow accommodation structure in Peania, where Haneen lives with her family – her father Aiham, her mother Asmaa and her three younger sisters, Halaa, Sam and Nour. This six-member family has decided to stay in Greece.

They have come from Damascus, making the same trip with many other compatriots of theirs. A journey for which they don’t want to talk about. They prefer to answer the question of whether they like Greece and they like it “very much“, as they say with enthusiasm!

The children go to school while all of them attend the Greek lessons; they want to learn how to communicate with the Greeks – “we will live with them!”, they say. Asmaa is certain that Haneen will become an ophthalmologist. How is she so confident? She is the one who gives the answer: “I will help her! She will become what she wants!”, says with a loud voice.

Everything will be done – they will learn the Greek language, they will find work, the children will follow their dreams and all of these because they want it very much and our teams will stand by their side.

*Haneen’s family is hosted in the organization’s accommodation structure in Paiania operated under the ESTIA, the Emergency Support to Integration and Accommodation programme, implemented by the UNHCR and funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

Five Stories in five photos for the seminar entitled “Contemporary Photojournalism: From Research to Publication“, which took place in October 2017 by the photojournalist Giorgos Moutafis.

The seminar was completed with the organization of a special event held on October 23^rd, 2017, in the centre of Athens, where each participant presented their work. One of these is the “Polaroid Stories, Human Stories: like the old days, like today“, which was developed by Valia Savvidou, Press & Event Manager, for SolidarityNow.

The choice of the Polaroid pattern was made as a reference to the history of the art of photography in general as well as to the family photography that has been presented this way for many years in the past. Families depicted in the pictures are different in terms of status and members’ number; however, the families’ members have all the same purpose: to ensure their family integrity.

*The children and parents in the photographs are beneficiaries of the organization’s hosting program, which is part of the ESTIA, the Emergency Support to Integration and Accommodation programme, implemented by the UNHCR and funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).

Alexandra, 32 years old, Beneficiary of the Individual Counseling & Psychotherapy Service,

Athens Solidarity Center

Alexandra, as introduced to us, wants to talk about the series of events that brought her today to be one of the beneficiaries at the organization’s Solidarity Center in Athens. She strongly believes that her story can motivate others with similar problems with hers to ask for support.

The 32-year-old Alexandra was born and raised in Athens, and for the past 2.5 years she has been the mother of Stelios, her beloved son, for whom she makes every effort – to be healthy, physically and mentally, and to be able to offer him, the best. By “the best” Alexandra means to offer her son a stable and safe family environment.

She herself knows very well how it is for a child not to grow up in a healthy family environment. She found it difficult to find her place in her family, and today she knows that the isolation she felt, led her to mistaken escape options from what made her feel lonely.

She spent many years looking for happiness through the substances, which she describes as “alternative ways of accepting my life as a member of my family.” While the use of substances initially created the illusion of having a new family at her side, it finally showed her brutally that this was the worst isolation.

Alexandra tried hard and managed to escape. She joined a drug rehab program and graduated successfully being certain that “this program was my life-saviour; I would have liked to have gone through this program without being a drug user. This program is good for everyone.”

Α ‘clean’ life

Alexandra moved forward healthy and confident that she wanted to leave behind this past. She narrates her new life using only positive words, and very often while speaking, she thanks her psychologist at the Solidarity Center – “she has taught me to structure my thought, to express myself, what I want and claim for it.”

With her partner and little Stelios’ father, they have common past. Together they decided to live a new ‘clean’ life, as Alexandra says. They left Athens for an island in the Aegean, where they lived beautifully until recently.

Her eyes shine with joy when she says how she managed to get clients on the island. She is a hairdresser and she used her hair to attract other women’s interest – “I painted it pink and other colours and I always combed it with different hairstyles” and so she achieved to create the network of her clients who do not change her with any other hairdresser, as she proudly says.

“I needed support to face my child”

Some time ago, her partner slipped back. Alexandra, knowing that she would never return to her old life, could not accept it. She began to be unable to sleep, to have nightmares, be afraid, but mainly she had no answers to her son’s questions. She immediately asked for help at the Solidarity Center. With the first sessions she understood what she can and cannot do. Alexandra got all the information she needed to know about her child’s protection as well as her own, and she’s ready to make the right decision – “I’ll make it. I feel strong enough to do the best for me and Stelios.” Her psychologist helped to set priorities so as not to allow others to determine her life; her life as a woman and as a mother.

Alexandra, with her strong will, with the love she feels for her son and the love she has eventually found for herself, will make her dreams come true: “My dream is to live by the sea. I want my son to enjoy nature and I… Ι want to cultivate!”

Just at her 32, Alexandra has lived many lives.

Now she lives the one she likes most. 

*Alexandra is one of the beneficiaries receiving pro bono services provided to vulnerable population groups (Greeks, refugees and migrants) in the SolidarityNow Athens Solidarity Center. Find more about the Athens Solidarity Center: https://www.solidaritynow.org/en/kentro-allileggiis-athinas/.

Mary, 62 years old

Beneficiary of the Individual Counseling & Psychotherapy Service, Athens Solidarity Center

“I want everybody to learn that they can get free support here; I am very happy with the work being done for the Greeks here. My psychologist helps me to find peace with Mary -myself- and deal more calmly with the situations and anger that I often fail to control“.

The sunny morning and the bright room fit perfectly with Mary; the 62-year-old openhearted blonde with the vivid eyes, who wanted to share her experience as a beneficiary of the organization’s Solidarity Center in Athens.

The room’s high windows let the light come in and Mary let her heart open. She spoke concisely about her life; her children, love, misfortunes, worries and challenges – the challenges that led her to seek psychological support.

Nikos, Elina, Panagiotis, Orestis and Maura.

Mary is the mother of five adult children for whom, firstly and foremost, she says proudly “I am lucky because my children do exactly what they like!” and then she introduces each one of them: “Nikos, a citizen of the world, Elina the joy, Panagiotis the independent, Orestis the risky, Maura my little one”.

The three older children are from her first marriage – Mary’s marriage to Nikos, “my Nikos” as she calls him during our conversation, probably without realizing it; it is said as for granted. Mary was a widow at 24, already a mother of three. So young she was forced to face a devastating experience – Nikos’ fatal accident.

She worked hard all the years until her retirement, having two jobs for long periods of time to raise her children and never left them to feel weak due to their father’s absence. She made it. Mary didn’t let this to prevent their progress, and Nikos managed to remain alive for his children through her narratives. “I stood on my feet with courage, as he wanted, as he had taught me. He taught me a lot for as long as we lived together – he had a beautiful mind; a mind to admire!“

Mary’s love for the family and the need to move on emotionally led her to the second life partner with whom she has her two younger children. Every time she talks about her children her eyes tear up. Of love.

The challenge

Today, Mary is confronted with another challenge. She must overcome some of the standard negative perceptions, the stereotypes, that concern others, including her own children. She knows she cannot ask them to be like she wants or has learned as right; to have specific characteristics and behaviours based on their social role. But she has difficulty practising her good intention and that has led her to seek help.

“I don’t want to be prejudiced. I want to change and do my best for my children“. She is afraid that this is the barrier that currently undermines her communication with one of her children and wants to overtake it.

Now, however, the intimacy and comfort that she feels with her psychologist at the Solidarity Center are the foundation of her progress as the two define it. Mary wins back her calm that will help her overcome simplified perceptions for the benefit of her children and her relationship with them.

*Mary is one of the beneficiaries receiving pro bono services provided to vulnerable population groups (Greeks, refugees and migrants) in the SolidarityNow Athens Solidarity Center. Find more about the Athens Solidarity Center: https://www.solidaritynow.org/en/kentro-allileggiis-athinas/.

Joseph Takougang, 45 years-old, 8 months in Lesvos

 “At least in prison, you’ve got hot water and can take a bath”

“My name is Joseph Takougang and I am 45 years-old. I have been living in Moria for 8 months and 2 weeks. I left Cameroon because I had problems with the police and the government. The police were arresting and killing people. They arrested me too, along with my brother and a friend of mine. I was in prison for six days. They hit me, tortured me. I was a quite popular footballer. We all managed to escape, but the police killed my brother and my friend. Having no other choice, I left my country and went to Russia. It was 2001 and I was 28 years-old. I took Russian language classes and studied economics for 4 years. But I didn’t have enough money to finish my studies, so I started teaching football to children.

My wife and daughter went to Italy, where they stayed with relatives. It was easier for me to get a visa and go to Russia. When I heard that people were coming to Europe, I decided to go to Italy and find my daughter. First, I went to Turkey. I stayed there for 9 months. It is very difficult to find a job in Turkey. I worked for a month there, but things were very difficult. It is hard for me to stand for a long time, because of an injury I had on my leg. At my job in Turkey, I had to stand all day, from 8 in the morning until 8 in the evening. I tried many times to come to Greece. Eight of them I was arrested, but I managed to cross over the 9^th time. I have been in Lesvos since June 2^nd.

Life in Moria is bad, very bad. The food is not good, the toilets are dirty and far away from our tents. There are many problems and a lot of disappointment. People are losing it. I am a strong man, I was an athlete, so I am trying to stay alive. But it is not always easy.

I live in a summer tent with 6 men. Four men from Cameroon, one from Bangui (Central African Republic) and one from Syria. With the guy from Syria, we became friends. He is a nice person. He asked me to live in our tent. We make bracelets together out of life vests people were wearing when they came here.

I met Madeleine in Moria. She was crying very much. I tried to support her. I told her that things here are better, and human rights are respected. As for me, I have been through so much in Russia. I have experienced racist behaviour. I have seen all these before. I don’t know if I lost my hope. My asylum application was rejected, and my lawyer tells me nothing. I call him, but he doesn’t pick up the phone. So, I decided to keep living here, and whatever happens, happens.

I have been communicating with my family this whole time. My wish is to see my daughter. I don’t know how she is, she has a son, my grandson. I am a grandfather. I want to be a football coach because I love football. These are my dreams.

I have seen so many bad things happening in Moria. I don’t wish for anyone to stay here. I hope everyone moves. It is very hard, but we don’t have a choice, we cannot decide our fate. If the Greek government and the European Union decides to keep people here for much longer, it would be horrible. You have to be tough to live in Moria. It is better to be in prison than be here. At least in prison, you’ve got hot water and can take a bath. I don’t wish for anyone to stay here. I need to find a way to leave and start a new life”.

Mohamad Musa, 67 years old, 2 months in Lesvos

“Here the people do not have choices”

“My name is Mohamad Musa. I am from Kabul and I am 67 years old. I came to Moria two months ago. Before I was in Iran with my wife and with one of my two daughters. My other daughter lives in Germany with her family. When I was in Iran I worked as a security for a private company. All these years we were making enough money to survive and live with dignity.

1,5 years ago I returned to Afghanistan because someone informed me that some people wanted to take my home. They were armed and they threatened to kill me. I didn’t know who they were. In Afghanistan, if you possess weapons you are a king. After so many efforts I have built a house and they have taken it. I returned to Iran, but I couldn’t stay there because I didn’t have a visa. I came in Greece through Turkey. One relative helped me to cross the sea, οotherwise I couldn’t make this trip alone.

After all these incidents, I have many health problems. I can’t walk and I suffer from low vision. My relative who resides in Moria brings me food. Who else will bring me food if not he? I can’t walk to the toilets, because they are too far away from my tent. I am living alone. Some people brought me some blanket and clothes to change. Today they told me that they will bring me a heater. My neighbors who are staying at the nearby tents have asked it for me. People here respect me and are good to me.

I have hopes because no one can live without hope. My wish is to meet my daughter and my grandson who are in Germany; I don’t want anything else. I have all the documents to apply for family reunification but I cannot stand against the state. We don’t have any choice. I don’t want to stay in Greece. It’s better to die than to stay here. I want to go to my daughter, that’s why I made this long trip from Afghanistan and risked my life. I have no other wish than to be with my daughter. The best thing is to get out of here as soon as possible”.

Madeleine Kangmo, 24 years old, 3 months in Moria

 “I want to do something in my life”

“My name is Madeleine Kangmo, I am 24 years old and I am from Cameroon. I came in Moria three months ago. I fled from my country because I was a victim of domestic violence. I have never met my parents. When I was born, my mother gave me and my brother up for adoption. Every day, my foster parents hit me. They didn’t give me food and they didn’t let me go to school. Many times I tried to escape but they always found me. I wasn’t feeling good, I was afraid of my life and eventually, I managed to escape. I sought refuge in the mountains. I found my way to Dubai. There I met some Arabs and I worked at their home as a housekeeper. I had many problems, so one day I decided to leave. I stayed for a while in an apartment and then I went to Turkey. This is my life.

Life in Moria is difficult. I thought I’d be safe here, but I’m not. I am trying to live alone because I don’t trust anyone. I have had many hardships and now I trust only myself. But I have met Joseph who has supported me. I share a tent with other women. We live under difficult conditions, but we don’t have a choice.

This trip wasn’t easy. But I made it and now I am feeling stronger.

I want to do something in my life. I want to go to school, to have a better life and to create my own family in the future.

Today I am going to Athens. For those who are stuck here, I want to wish them good luck. May God help them to be transferred from here to another place and to have a better life”.

Kayuran Maruthanayakam, 30 years old, 2 years in Lesvos

 “I feel unlucky, but I want to be saved”

“My name is Kayuran, I am 30 years old and I am coming from Sri Lanka. I have been living outside Moria, at the so-called eleonas for the last 2 years. I am staying at a big tent with men from Africa and three compatriots of mine. In Moria there are only 4 people from Sri Lanka. I belong to the Tamil minority. I was a member of the “Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam” militant organization for 3 years. I can’t return to my country because they will arrest me.

I have nothing to say about the life here. In 2016, 5 people lost their lives, I saw their dead bodies. Last month a child died. I am 2 years here and nothing has changed. I have seen so many fights. Before the food wasn’t good, now somehow they have improved it. They bring us bread, eggs, chicken.

I don’t feel good. There’s nothing to do but wait.

I’m sleeping on a bunk bed. The only thing that divides the beds is a blanket. We cannot stay here. I’m thinking about my life. I miss my family. I have a son, he is 5 years old. When I talk to my wife and my son, I feel happy.

I feel unlucky, but I want to be saved. I try to stay calm. The only thing that they are telling me is to be patient and wait. I have lost the ability to sleep. If I get asylum in Greece I will bring my family here”.

Parathithasas Kanapathipillay, 43 years old, 19 months in Lesvos

“I can’t sleep at nights”

“My name is Parathithasas and I am 43 years old. I have been in Eleonas for the last 19 months. My application for asylum is rejected. I will appeal with the help of a lawyer.

I fled from Sri Lanka because I was a member of the “Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam” militant organization. In 2009, along with my family, we went to India. I have two daughters. In India I lived for 9 years. Here I am staying at a big tent with African men. I am not feeling well. Sometimes I can’t sleep at nights. I am covering myself with a blanket and I am trying to sleep. I have very good relationships with my tent-mates. I feel safe. The main problem here for me is the issue of cleanliness and of the cold water.

The only thing I want is to bring my family to Greece”.