“Following the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Directorate of Social Policy & Health with Deputy Mayor George Trianto and the Civil Non-Profit Emfasis, a series of actions took place on 13 and 14 September 2023, between the Community Centre with Roma Branch of the Municipality of Rhodes and Emfasis Non-Profit.

Specifically, during the first day, an Experiential Workshop on Exchange of Experiences & Challenges on the topic of homelessness and vulnerability of the target group was held with the participation of mainly psychologists and social workers of the Welfare Department, the Home Help of the Head of Welfare Department of the Social Policy & Health Directorate and the Community Center with Rom Branch. At the same time, an introduction was made to Streetwork Methodology.

The experiential workshop was coordinated by the executives of Emfasis Non-Profit and the results were successful after the participants understood the importance of group training in changing the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behavior of individuals, the dynamics of the group and its effect on the psycho-emotional climate of the group, the effective handling of difficult situations in real life through simulations of everyday life.

On the second day on the occasion of the start of the new school year and with the aim of starting the new school year with the best prospects for all children in order to have the most dignified and equal integration in the educational process, the executives of the Rom Branch of the Municipality of Rhodes Community Center in cooperation with the executives of Emfasis Non-Profit jointly implemented a creative activity, in the courtyard of the hall in Rodini, for Rom children of preschool and school age, enrolled in schools of area.

During the event, the children participated in creative activities through experiential and interactive games, crafts and painting, while the action was accompanied by music adapted to the children's age group. The aim is to develop children's skills and abilities, encourage the desire to learn, as well as the pleasure through creation that helps them express themselves, communicate and collaborate.

In the end, school bags and supplies were distributed to all the children who attended the event. The event was honored with the presence of the Deputy Head of the Department of Program Implementation, Social Policy and Gender Equality of the Social Policy & Health Directorate.

Childhood smiles were our best reward.

We sincerely thank Emfasis Non-Profit for its excellent cooperation, positive response and practical support by sponsoring 59 school bags filled with the necessary school sets and stationery to Roma children in primary and secondary school through the Desmos Non-Profit Foundation, as well as the individual who offered 6 school bags suitable for infancy.

In conclusion, we must express our warm thanks to KTEL Rhodes, which once again undertook the transportation of the children safely to the place of implementation of the action and the return to their place of residence, as well as DERMAE S.A., for granting the space.

We wish everyone a happy and creative school year!”

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Source: Municipality of Rhodes

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