Hope Project

Our mission at the Hope Project is to equip and mobilise displaced children and adults through informal curriculum-style educational programmes and integration activities, including Life Skills, Maths, Science, Art, Greek, Arabic, English, Sports and workshops.

Hope Project is managed by Eleanor Yankah and Tania De Sousa but all programmes and activities are facilitated by the refugees themselves; whether it’s a building project to build desks/chairs storage units or a kitchen project to cook and distribute as well as sell traditional Arabic cuisine to the local community or teaching the classes or maintenance of the centre or helping with administrative duties. We believe it is an integral part of the project to allow the freedom to work and to contribute towards the growth of the project, as well as their own development and integration into society.


Hope Project will adhere to the following principles -

Support
Hope Project will provide a strong support network for all who attend our centre; psychological support, mentoring support and a buddy support.

Commitment
Hope Project will inspire social and interpersonal skills, a sense of hope for the future and independency; this will reflect on their commitment to the project.

Responsibility
Hope Project will empower the refugees to establish their own goals and follow through on their commitments, whether theyʼre a teacher, volunteer or a student.

Creative
Hope Project will create an inspiring curriculum which encourages risk-taking, promotes independence and provides memorable experiences that truly enrich their lives.


Hope Project identifies the following points as indicators of success -

Being adaptive to the local economic situation, the refugee needs, the recruitment of volunteers and funding strategy;

Creating a safe and trusting learning environment within the centre;

Establish transparency from the off-set with all donations.


Hope Project identifies the following points as positive effects from children, young people and adults engaging in our programmes and activities -

Improved interpersonal skills – developing good interpersonal skills allows a person to engage with others productively at different levels;

Improved key skills – developing key skills allows a person’s chances of getting into higher education, getting a job and thriving in a career;

Improved self-esteem – having healthy self-esteem allows a person to feel secure and worthwhile, have positive relationships with others, feel confident about their abilities and identity, welcome learning and feedback which can help them acquire and master new skills;

Improved self-confidence – gaining self-confidence allows a people to fully commit and approach all tasks, whether complex or simple, more effectively and enthusiastically;

Reduced isolation – using social activities, education programmes and volunteering opportunities will allow a person to increase their quality of life and enable integration into the local community.


THE TEAM

Eleanor Yankah
Operations of Hope Project in Greece & Art teacher

Tania De Sousa
Operations of Hope Project in London & Fundraising Coordinator

Ahmad Dandal
Sports Teacher

Abood Okaab
English & Arabic Teacher

Refugee Teachers
Maths & Science

Pennya Mezidu
Greek Teacher


THE PROBLEM
Children are permitted to attend state schools but are taught for 2 hours a day and are segregated from the Greek children;
Most informal educational structures in the camps offer substandard classes and/or limited to linguistics;
Some camps are unsafe for families, women and children are often exposed to exploitation;
There are no integration sessions in existing camps for refugees wishing to relocate to other count.

THE SOLUTION
A specially designed programme incorporating official Syrian/Afghani curriculum;
Outreach to local camps; Softex, Sindos and Oreokastro;
Create a safe space for families to come and relax, take a hot shower, read, eat, learn while their children learn, take life skill classes on how to open a bank account, how to enrol into state schools, how to write a CV and many more life skills;
Teach important integration tools for major European countries; learn about their culture, food and basic language.