As March comes to a close, we reflect on the importance of women’s spaces within our community centres. At Alpha Centre and Alpha Land, these spaces foster connection, safety, and growth. To dive deeper into their impact, we spoke with Corinna, one of our Community Centre Officers, who’s been facilitating these spaces for the past few months.
Read MoreDuring the Week of Solidarity with People Against Racism and Racial Discrimination, we celebrate the power of unity and inclusion at our community centres, Alpha Centre and Alpha Land. By embracing cultural traditions, such as Ramadan and Nowruz, and fostering a welcoming environment through shared music and activities, we create spaces where everyone feels respected and valued.
Read MoreNine years after the EU-Türkiye agreement, people seeking asylum continue to face precarious conditions and human rights violations, as we witness on the island of Samos. Today, we highlight the human rights violations that the deal has perpetuated and condemn this ongoing reality. It is time for a migration policy that prioritizes people over politics, offering true protection, dignity, and a future to those seeking refuge.
Read MoreToday, on International Women's Day, we highlight the unique challenges faced by women on the move, particularly those residing in the Samos Closed-Controlled Access Centre (CCAC). Women in these settings often lack of privacy, and inadequate support, which exacerbate the already difficult experience of migration. We advocate for the creation of women-only spaces to provide support and empowerment. These spaces are not only essential for their safety and well-being but also recognize their resilience and agency. Let’s stand together in advocating for a more equitable and respectful approach to the protection and integration of women in migration.
Read MoreAs the New Year begins, residents of the Samos Closed-Controlled Access Centre (CCAC) continue to face inhumane living conditions, including broken bathrooms, lack of privacy, overcrowding, and limited access to water. We met with some members of our community, and this is what they shared about unsanitary living conditions and lack of access to services in the CCAC.
Read MoreLittle to no heating, a lack of blankets, and unsanitized water are just a few of the daily challenges faced by people living in the Samos Closed-Controlled Access Centre (CCAC). Last week, we spoke with members of our community who shared their thoughts and personal experiences on this unbearable situation. Their stories reveal the harsh realities of life in the camp.
As winter settles on Samos, we’ve been exploring ways to bring comfort to our community. This month, we interviewed our Alpha Centre and Alpha Land Officers, Nicole and Mike, to share what our community centres mean to us and the people we welcome every day.
Read MoreSamos, October 2024.
This article was originally written in German by Gabi Klein on behalf of Cologne Cares.
While at the European level, the topic of asylum is being discussed with a focus on isolation or even suspension, others are focusing on solidarity. An outstanding example of this is the initiative "Samos Volunteers." Since its founding in 2016, this grassroots organisation has supported refugees on the Greek island of Samos with psychological support, informal education, and clothing donations.
We have launched our Choose Your Warmth 2024 Campaign targeted to allow us to cover our costs while operating our highly needed winter clothes distribution to the island's displaced communities. Watch our Warehouse Mini-Documentary to see how the team prepared for winter distribution.
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