On September 8, 35 beneficiaries of the program “Summer Activities for Refugees” of the Department of Social Action visited the YMCA Basketball Museum. The children had the opportunity to get to know the Basketball world, watch the preparation of the YMCA Basketball Team and get to know the players.

The children were thrilled with the stadium, and they were especially interested in the cup collection. After the end of their training, the players donated basket balls to the children with their signatures and took pictures with them.

The Summer Activities for Refugees was an educational recreation program. Every day, in the afternoons of August and until 8 September, 42 children and adolescents from Syria aged 6-18 years old would come to the YMCA Thessaloniki premises. They participated in a specially designed program of sports, cultural and creative activities, which occupied by 6 experienced trainers- social scientists, 3 volunteers, 1 social worker and 1 interpreter. As part of our collaboration with Terre des hommes, and always in accordance with the spirit, philosophy and experience of YMCA, this pioneer program has been a catalyst for the socialization and of children and their psychological empowerment through educational and athletic processes. The program was designed and implemented by the Department of Social Action, with Mrs. Hara Argyroudi responsible for the project managing and Mrs. Aristi Tzoni, Director of the Department. The program was managed by Terre des hommes with financial support from the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.

The visit to the museum was accompanied by their trainers, Terre des hommes staff, Social Action and Refugee Assistant Hara Argyroudi and Giorgos Petridis, Director of Sport & Sport Center “Mimis Tsikinas”. After the visit, a thematic party was organized at the Social Action Hall of YMCA Thessaloniki.