After a long period passed when due to the pandemic every meeting with our European partners was difficult, we people of SYNPARXIS welcomed to our new offices prominent members of the Council of Churches of the Netherlands, including representatives of KERK in Actie which significantly supports our work in recent years.
The visit to Greece took place following a written invitation from the President of the institution, Rev. Metropolitan of Ilio, Acharnes and Petroupoleos Mr. Athenagoras as the Council expressed the desire to see closely the current situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Greece (especially unaccompanied minors), with the main goal of informing and raising awareness of the Dutch Government and generally the country’s public opinion.
The delegation was welcomed at the offices of the Synyparxis by the General Director Arch. Panteleimon Papasinefakis, who informed the attendees about the diverse work and actions performed by the Church of Greece -through the organization- to unaccompanied minors, but also about the challenges and difficulties that arise.
Then the G.D. accompanied the members of the delegation to a SYNPARXIS shelter, where they had the opportunity to tour the facilities, chat and have lunch with children and staff. At the end of the meal, G.D. and representatives of the delegation they spoke while addressing the children which they also offered them souvenirs.
The next day, an account meeting was held in the presence of the aforementioned delegation and representatives of GCR and Caritas Athens. At this meeting, which took place in a very warm and emotionally charged atmosphere, the members of the delegation of the Council of Churches of the Netherlands expressed their impressions and gratitude for the work being done and expressed their willingness to support our work.
A characteristic mention of our work was made by Mrs. Karin van den Broeke, Program leader of Kirk In Actie when she mentioned as the most moving moment of her trip to Greece was the conversation she had with a child in our shelter about his life here, his dreams and goals, realizing that: “Despair lurks, but there is also hope. The work of the workers here is really important, they take care of vulnerable children who are all alone “.
