METAdrasi invites you to get to know unaccompanied children through their drawings and send your own messages at the festive event of the Program “We are all Citizens” Saturday, November 19, 2016, Technopolis, City of Athens.
Eleven-year-old Mohammed from Syria draws a picture. He explains to the member of METAdrasi’s Guardianship Network for Unaccompanied Minors that his drawing tells his story: it shows the boat with which he arrived in Greece from Turkey, METAdrasi’s “home” (the little tower) where he is hosted in Athens, the helicopters that he dreams that will transfer him to his final destination, Germany (which appears as the big tower with flag).
Another, younger, unaccompanied child is trying to represent in a heroic way his escape from the horrors of war in his homeland: “escape!”
Sanya from Afghanistan draws her journey into a heart.
Unaccompanied children try to balance between a traumatic past and an uncertain future. With positivity and determination they hope for a better tomorrow. In their drawings they express their thoughts, feelings and dreams with colors. And the colors become boats, helicopters, airplanes, a house, a family… They become birds traveling towards freedom or a sun crying, the day Hassan was forced to leave his home and family at his homeland, along with some companions.
This Saturday, November 19, 2016, METAdrasi, participating in the closing event of the Program “We are all Citizens” at Technopolis, City of Athens (“Neoi Fournoi” hall), presents drawings of unaccompanied children that were supported by its activities. Moreover, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in an artistic workshop that will take place throughout the whole duration of the exhibition (11:00-22:00) and create cards for unaccompanied children with their own images and messages. These cards will compose a large collage, while later each one will reach the hands of an unaccompanied child.
The event is organized by the Bodossaki Foundation on the occasion of the Program completion “We are all citizens”, that was financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the European Economic Area (EEA Grants), with the aim to strengthen the civil society in our country and to enhance social justice, democracy and sustainable development.
In the context of this program, METAdrasi, reinforcing its protection network for unaccompanied children (Escorting Missions, Transit Accommodation Facilities), developed two innovative projects, bringing to action, for the first time in Greece, Guardianship Network and Foster Care, which constitute the ideal solution for these children, who have the urgent need to feel family warmth and security. Through personalized care, children are ensured the opportunity to experience their childhood having dedicated people by their side.
Information:
Saturday, November 19, 11:00-20:00
Technopolis, City of Athens (“Neoi Fournoi” hall), Pireos 100, Gazi, 213 0109300, 213 0109324
Free entrance
www.weareallcitizensfestival.gr
NB.: The children’s names have been changed for the protection of their personal data