The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits METAdrasi’s non-formal education centre in Mytilene

During his recent visit to Greece, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, dedicated some of his valuable time in order to observe the work carried out by METAdrasi in Mytilene, providing non-formal education to unaccompanied minors residing in Moria. In the specially designed space of the Non-Formal Education Center, located out of the hot spot, the children have the opportunity to attend Greek, Maths and English lessons.

Mr. Grandi was welcomed by METAdrasi’s President Lora Pappa and by Katerina Downward, Head of Education and Integration Department.

Mr. Grandi entered with great interest all classrooms and discussed with the students and with the teaching staff of the Center. The students talked about the extremely difficult living conditions in Moria, but also about how uplifting it is for them to have a change of scenery every day, when they come to the Center and have the opportunity to learn new things.

Before his departure, the students offered Mr. Grandi a commemorative gift, a handcrafted artwork which they created under a team project on children’s rights.

In his turn, the High Commissioner urged them to continue striving to do their best, while he declared that he is aware of the situation and he will try to do everything in his power to improve it.

METAdrasi’s Educational Centers in Mytilene, Kara Tepe and Chios operate with the support of UNHCR and have welcomed to date almost 3,500 children.

Photo credits: ©UNHCR/ Achilleas Zavallis