Volunteer (Nea Makri): Volunteer with children in Greece

Providing care, support and activities for disabled children

Nea Makri ◆ February 1 - March 31, 2013

International volunteers will cooperate with the Pammakaristos House for Children, that was established in 1953. Currently, the House hosts 105 children, teenagers and young adults with various disabilities and their age ranges from 3 to 30 years. Most of the children suffer from autism, meaning they have difficulties with normal communication, cognitive ability, social behavior, motor skills and sensory integration. Also children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as children with social problems are hosted by the House. The children, depending on the type of disorder, age and needs, attend the kindergarten, the workshops (pottery, catering, decoration-crafts, weaving & daily living), or the boarding home (open 24h/365days). Some of the therapies and activities offered in the House are logotherapy, ergotherapy, music therapy, psychoanalysis and others. The program aims to support the improvement of the conditions and care of the children in the daily routine of the House. The active group of volunteers will support the staff and additionally organise alternative free time activities for the children.

The volunteers will be involved in the following activities: 1. Provide company and support to the children and young people hosted in the House; 2. Assist the staff during the program of the day; 3. Support the professional staff in workshops (e.g. supervise, explain, help, etc.)

It is important for the volunteers to know that they will work together with the staff of Pammakaristos. Volunteers should be patient and resistant to psychological stress and ready to help with smile, love and creative proposals. The project is challenging and of much importance. It is the kind of work that constitutes life experience. Previous experience with disabled persons will be appreciated but it is not obligatory.

Pammakaristos is located in the town of Nea Makri (500m from the town centre and 700m from the beach), in the district of Attica (north-east from Athens). Nea Makri is a town of 15.000 inhabitants, about 1 hour from Athens downtown. There is a regular connection between Nea Makri and Athens by bus (the bus station is just outside the Pammakaristos).