A few days ago, we had the opportunity to visit the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion together with refugee children and their parents from the Open Accommodation Center for Refugees in Elaionas, Attica. The excursion was the idea of Inas, a 14-year-old girl from Syria, whom we met through our actions of recreational activities for children implemented by our teams in the Center.
Unfortunately, Inas didn’t manage to be with us as she recently travelled with her family to another country. However, she left us with a wish that had to come true for the sake of her friends. And so we did it!
Last Friday, all of us –youngsters and adults– were ready to depart. Early in the morning the coach of “The Smile of the Child” arrived at the facility for the pick-up and then began its journey towards Sounion. The children and their parents were enjoying the ride by the coast and seaside. Everyone was enthusiastic and impressed with the beautiful surroundings, while singing songs in Greek, Farsi and Arabic. Children were trying to dance despite the fact that they wearing their seatbelts. When that was not possible, they were simply singing with their whole soul!
Upon the arrival at the Temple of Poseidon, the interpreters gathered the parents with their children in teams in order to inform them about the site and its rich history. Everyone was capturing the moments by taking photos, whereas we organized a picnic outside the site following our visit inside the archeological area. The food was splendid and the mix of Arabic and Persian cuisine equally unforgettable!
On our way back we made a stop to get something sweet and we indulged in ice creams. While our excursion was coming to an end, we promised ourselves to organize a new excursion to a different destination again sometime soon.
We will keep in our memory the faces of the parents and the little faces of the children filled with happiness!
“The Smile of the Child” would like to warmly thank the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports for the free entrance to the site of the Temple, as well as the Waffle House Company for the ice-creams.
“The activity was organized in the framework of the “Targeted housing and integrated supported services for most vulnerable refugees” project, which is funded by the German Government/ Federal Office. Lead partner of the project is the Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V.
