GUESTHOUSE FOR REFUGEES «I O S»

GUESTHOUSE FOR REFUGEES «I O S»

 

 The Voluntary Work of Athens operates the guesthouse «IOS» from April 2000. In its place are entertained individuals independent of nationality or race, that have submitted in the Greek Authorities application of asylum, are that is to say holders of temporary authorisation of staying and they meet the terms to be acknowledged as refugees, they are deprived however the possibility of  accommodation and of living independently. In the guesthouse they are given this possibility. Objective of the guesthouse «IOS» is the as possible unhindered integration for asylum seekers in our country.

The stay is offered free of charge, however tenants contribute in the payment of bills of heating, water and electricity, provided that they are employed. The Voluntary Work of Athens considers particular accent in the question of their labour because, along with the active attendance of the tenants in the daily operation of centre, it is considered a necessary term for their social integration.

The Guesthouse includes eight independent rooms shared in two floors and in the loft, with common cooker, bathroom and space of meeting in each floor. In total, the guesthouse «IOS» can receive roughly 25 individuals. The guesthouse is located in Kato Patisia.

In a regular weekly base tenants are met with the voluntary team that is in charge for the operation of «IOS» and discusses various subjects that they face. The voluntary team informs the tenants for their way of access in various services of health, legal support, free courses of Greek language, finding of job and registrations of children that are hosted in day nursery or in Greek school. Provided that it is needed, the volunteers accompany the refugees to the authorities or in the hospitals and they assist them in the finding of a job and autonomous accommodation outside the guesthouse. The voluntary team is activated also in the sector of creative acts for hosted children and  , more generally, events of cross-cultural character inside  the guesthouse.

The voluntary potential of «IOS» in its multiple works collaborates closely with Non Governmental Organisations that deal with political refugees, as the polyclinics of Doctors of World, the Doctors without Borders, the Greek Council for the Refugees, UNHCR, the Medical Centre of Re-establishment of Victims of Tortures, the Red Cross etc. Its collaboration is also permanent with institutions that offer specialised services (p h. Mental Health Centres) as well as with institutions that offer foods and cooked meals.

 

 

 

Information – Communication:

E-mail: ios.xenonas@gmail.com