“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us” *
The Blue Dots is the image of our world, as envisioned by SolidarityNow
“For us, every child is unique and special. Each one has its own story, personality and future. If we manage to support them, we are proud of our work. We do not believe in heroes; we believe in the power born when people meet and interact honestly“; that is the view of Thodoris and Eleni for their work at the Blue Dots Unit operated by SolidarityNow.
Defending the rights of vulnerable groups
SolidarityNow, with the support of UNICEF and funding by ECHO, implemented (reporting period: August 2016 – October 2017) the 1st phase of the innovative Blue Dots program on a national scale, as part of the ongoing efforts to protect the most vulnerable refugee and migrant groups. One of SolidarityNow’s priorities was and remains the protection of human rights at all levels, with emphasis on the groups facing greater risks, such as children.
The special support Centers –known as Blue Dots- for children, women and families were rolled out by SolidarityNow, in 12 points across Greece to provide vital services and counselling. However, the teams’ composition and deployment remained flexible in order to respond to the needs of families and children on the move, through a holistic approach; finally, the services were provided in 20 different sites in four regions –Attica, Epirus, Central Greece, Northern Greece- both through the fixed and mobile teams.
The Blue Dots program exceeded its objectives:
- 4,409 refugees and migrant children received supporting services (including psychosocial and legal support)
- 10 mother and baby corners (MBC) were established
- 416 mothers/caregivers benefited from infant and young child feeding counselling
- 84 frontline aid and service providers were trained on child protection
Children and families at risk identified and referred to specialized services with a focus on unaccompanied children, persons with disability and/or illness, cases of suspected trafficking, (sexual) gender-based violence survivors, single mothers:
- 1,138 referrals of individuals with health needs (physical injuries, sickness) to health providers
- 507 children referred to formal or informal education
- 388 unaccompanied children and/or vulnerable adults referred to accommodation services
- 977 referrals of individuals in need of additional legal support
“I want to send a special message to my people, I want to tell them that they must exercise and never give up!” says Fatima, after her participation in the 6th International Thessaloniki Half Night Marathon where she crossed the line with a net time of 00:13:56. The 16-year-old girl from Afghanistan has been supported through the Child Friendly Space-Teenagers corner of the Blue Dot operated in the organization’s Blue Refugee Center in Thessaloniki.
The Child & Family Care Centers, Blue Dots, target education
The 2nd phase of the Blue Dots project (November 2017 – May 2018) extends the operational role of the hubs created for children and their families by continuing with strengthened child protection and gender-based violence services and also introducing non-formal education activities in selected sites. The new intervention’s objective is to ensure refugee and migrant children and families access a holistic package of both protection and education services in campsites and urban settings, with a focus on increased protection, well-being and social integration.
The 1st phase of the Blue Dots program was implemented by SolidarityNow, supported by UNICEF and funded by the European Commission – Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations – ECHO.
* Carl Sagan, scientist, 1934-1996