Kids for the home project
We are two children trying to raise $15,000 to support unaccompanied child refugees in Greece who are under the care of the Home Project.
What’s the HOME Project?
www.homeproject.org
Helping refugee children to safety and security
Overcoming the trauma of violence and loss
Motivating reintegration and healing
Empowering new beginnings
The HOME Project gives homes, education, food, psychological help, and entertainment for some of the kids who come to Greece without parents. In the last 18 months, they have helped 220 kids—almost 10% of refugees under the age of 18. That may not seem like a lot, but for those kids, HOME has made a world of difference. But it’s still not enough.
“Some consider [refugees] a threat. For my part, I ask you to view it with confidence as an opportunity to build peace.”
-pope Francis
According to the latest official data, 9,736 children have been registered in Greece since the beginning of 2016. At this time, 80% of the children arriving in Greece are unaccompanied by family. Of these kids, 93% are boys, 7% are girls, and 8% are under the age of fourteen. That’s our age.
Imagine leaving your home—alone—to go on an illegal journey to an unknown country (where you don’t know a word of the language). You’d be riding across an entire ocean in a jam-packed rubber lifeboat. A single ticket costs about $7,000. That’s all of your family’s savings. And when—if—you get there, to the country you know nothing about, there’s a pretty high chance that you’ll get sent back. And even if you don’t, you’ll end up on the streets, locked in the basement of a police station, or in an overcrowded detention center with no access to basic care, services, or any knowledge of your rights. Imagine that your country is that dangerous. That you’re willing to risk everything for a chance of safety.
These kids have big dreams, just like us. And, just like my sister and I, their parents have big dreams and hopes for them, too. That’s why their parents gave up all of their savings. For their kids. So that the kids can live happy lives.
That’s another reason why we think the HOME project is important. HOME is making a future for these kids, by helping them learn English and Greek, connecting them with the local community, and even offering scholarships. But beyond this, HOME organizes fun extracurricular activities like soccer, photography classes, drama, and mindfulness, where kids can just be kids together.
Who are we?
Why the HOME project is important to us
Lulu
11 years old
My name is Lulu and I am in 6th grade. I think that helping these children is important because they are going through a lot— things I can’t even imagine, like losing their homes, feeling too unsafe to go to school, or even seeing their family hurt or killed. If I were them, I would want people to help me too. These kids (who are my age) want to have a fun kid life too, they don't want to be on the streets of Greece just sitting there with no one to take care of them. I went to one of the HOME Project shelters in Athens and I met the people who work there. They care for the kids like family and they are really good at what they do. I know how many kids need help out there. A LOT. That is why I want to help those kids.
Gigi
13 years old
I’m Gigi and I’m in eighth grade at Valley Montessori School. Why do I want to help the HOME Project? Because it’s the right thing to do. These kids have traveled many months, for thousands of miles, in great danger and suffered all kinds of violence—with an uncertain future. That shouldn’t have to happen. I recently visited one of the shelters that the HOME project has set up in Athens and got to meet some of the kids who were there. The shelter looked like a house. And the kids looked happy. The HOME project is probably the kind of place that families hoped for when they sent their kids away from everything they had known. Afterward, walking on the city streets, I noticed how many homeless kids there are. And I realized that they needed help. After all they’ve been through, they deserve it.
Interview
We meet with Sofia Kouvelaki, executive director and president of the HOME project
Donation
Here’s how your donations will help:
$5000
When you donate $5000 you will make a big difference for many children.
$1170
When you donate $1170, it covers a month salary for a psychologist for the shelter.
$585
When you donate $585, it will pay for a bed, a mattress, and all the linens for 2 kids.
$235
When you donate $235, it will cover all the school supplies for 10 children for 1 year.
$70
When you donate $70, it can supply all the meals for 1 kid in the home for 30 days.
$25
When you donate $25, it can help the HOME Project provide dry clothes and blankets for 1 refugee.
Custom amount
You can donate as much as you want, but remember: Your impact is bigger when you donate more!
How to give
Progress
We exceeded our goal! We have raised $17,000 for the HOME project. A big thank you to all of the wonderful people who donated and contributed in any way.
Please remember that you can still donate—the needs for the money are endless. Any amount would be appreciated.
Via PayPal
You can donate with a credit card or bank transfer to the Paypal account above, which our dad created for this purpose.
He will transfer the money to the HOME Project for you.
To get to the PayPal page, click the DONATE NOW button.
When you donate, please contact us so we can thank you and track your donation.
Directly to the Home Project
If you are donating a large amount and/or want to get a tax deduction, please use the link above for more information to do that. Also, please email us at kids4homeproject@gmail.com or use the “contact us” page so that we can track your donation and help out if needed.
Contact us
Email us if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or if you have trouble donating!
Contact us:
kids4homeproject@
Credit to:
www.homeproject.org
For pictures and information
Copyright © 2018 Kids for HOME Project. All rights reserved.