Just like every Tuesday, YMCA volunteers and members had another trip to Diavata refugee camp.

Yet this time, it was a special one. It was the first time the «REACT» (Refugee,Assistance, Collaboration, Thessaloniki) team of YMCA visited the camp.

REACT is a programme funded by UNHCR aiming at the protection of human rights and the registration, support and elimination of discrimination.

YMCA is a partner in REACT programme and has been assisting in entertaining the children with sports and creative work. Every Tuesday we visit Diavata refugee camp whereas the rest of the weekdays we will host activities in our main building. The programme began 1 st of July and will end in December, though it may be prolonged until 2017.

Our REACT team consists of five members: two sports trainers, two members focusing on creative work and one arabic interpreter. The team will keep the children refugees busy with various activities.

The first contact was overwhelming. Boys enjoyed playing football with our sports trainers and others created and painted paperboard hats. Our activities managed to put a smile back on their faces.

A strong bond was already created from this first touch. We left with the best impressions and renewed our visit for the next week.