ESC Volunteering in Athens

Tandem is a Non-Profit Company established in 2007 by a group of Greek and international volunteers willing to improve the quality of life of disabled children and young people living in an enclosed institution in Athens (P.A.A.P.A.V.).

The children and young people living in the institution have a wide range of physical and/or intellectual impairments, along with social and emotional challenges. They typically come from challenging family circumstances and in accordance to the Child Protection System of Greece, they have been institutionalized. As a result, they live cut off from the rest of society and are subjected to daily violations of fundamental human rights that life in an institution entails.

Every volunteer has a different program, depending on the person with whom they are working with and the personal strengths and interests of their own.

However, all volunteers share the following tasks:
* morning activities with the children/young people who do not attend school (going for walks, playing or listening to music, engaging in simple games, providing basic stimulation, etc.)
* various group activities in the activity center of Tandem inside the institution, including cooking, handcrafts, drawing, sports and simple English lessons
* activities outside of the institution (cinema, bowling, playground)
*cleaning and organizing the activity center
* raising awareness in the local community about diversity and life inside an institution and attempting to involve Greek people in volunteering with Tandem
* any other activity depending on the abilities, interests, needs, or desires of the target group and the volunteers (fundraising to sponsor activities, organizational tasks, etc.)