We are a group of experienced volunteers who have been working for other organisations around Europe focusing on the provision of services for refugees. We are responding to this humanitarian crisis that is affecting those forced from their homes by war, poverty and climate change.
Khora was created by a collective of individuals who met on Lesvos while working with Skipchen and Better Days For Moria and decided to bring our skills together. As individuals we have been on the ground in Calais, Serbia, Lesvos and Athens since the refugee crisis escalated in 2015.
As a group our skill set and experience is wide ranging and includes international development, project management, mental health, support work, building and teaching. Together we possess the skills necessary for establishing successful and sustainable projects that help thousands of refugees living far away from their home countries.
Mission
We believe in freedom of movement for all. We stand in solidarity with displaced people. Everyone has the right to choice, autonomy, dignity, community and the ability to access the basic means to live.
We recognise that this situation has been created and perpetuated by governments and corporations who are profiting from it and we stand in opposition to them and in solidarity with all affected by it.
Our aim is to create a space for international activists to come together for open discussion and dialogue. We want to reclaim our lives from the system and collectively create alternatives.
Volunteering
We are continually in need of ongoing volunteers, to help with all our different services, our community events and with background administration and communications.
If you have some free time and energy come and join us! We are looking for input, donations, time and/or ideas from the local Greek community and from volunteers to join us from Athens or abroad.
We aim to share skills and responsibilities equally, and so don't tend to stick to set roles. If you are a builder you will not only build, if you are a teacher you will not only teach. We aim to make sure all volunteers are comfortable with the work they are doing and are able to work in a variety of different roles in the areas that interest them.
The skills we are looking for include:
- Administration and Book Keeping Skills
- Experience with Social Work and/or Child Protection
- Child Care
- Language Skills: Especially Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Kurdish, & Greek.
- Dental Experience
- Gardening Skills
- Teaching Skills (Working with Children and Adults)
- Building Experience
- An Understanding of European Asylum Law
- IT Skills and Social Media Experience
- An Understanding of Food and Nutrition
- Cooking Skills
- An Ability to Facilitate and Make Things Happen!
Requirements
If you already live in Athens, we would love for you to get as involved as possible in an ongoing way, however much time you have available.
If you are coming to Athens specifically to volunteer we ask for a minimum commitment of 4 weeks full time, although we always prefer to have people joining us for longer. We find that this adds to the sense of community building and supports the running of the centre. If you are only able to come for less than 4 weeks, and have a specific project proposal, please get in touch.
Participation in current rotas, the roles change depending on how many volunteers we have and which projects and areas need more support.
We also require you to have an open mind and enthusiasm. Flexibility, because we respond to needs as they occur. Our working week is seldom the same twice. A willingness to join our team and to take on some responsibility within the work you are involved in.
