The International School of Peace - Lesbos Greece
is an ember of hope and joy, amidst the ashes of a devastated refugee camp and burnt shell of a schoolhouse.
Refugees Teaching Refugees
Lesbos Island, Greece 2017 - 2020
The International School of Peace on the OHF (One Happy Family) campus was built by volunteers: residents of 2 nearby refugee camps and Israeli Jews and Arabs, alumni of Hashomer Hatzair; Ajyal Youth Movements . The school has been a beacon of hope for refugee children, their parents and their teachers - themselves refugees. The school began operations in April 2017, teaching 180 children aged 6-12 in several languages including Arabic, French and Farsi. This is the only schoolroom on the island where refugee children are taught in their native languages. The teachers are skilled refugees, experienced educators in their home country, teaching the subjects in the children's mother tongue. The children learn languages, math, art, sports and more. The educational team is mentored by Dr. Eitan Shahar, Head of NATAN’s psychosocial team and member of the Hashomer Hatzair movement.
The Fires: In March 2020, the school building was burnt to the ground by anti-refugee protestors following weeks of violence against migrants. despite the lack of a school building and the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, the refugee teachers carried on teaching the children in improvised settings. In early September 2020, Moria Refugee Camp was destroyed by fire following violence between the refugees , angry anti-migrant gangs and local police.
Remains of the burnt-out International School of Peace
Read the stories from our volunteers in Lesbos
When Syrians meet Israeli and become One Happy Family
Every Refugee is a Human Being
Yet Hashomer Hatzair, NATAN’s team of Israeli educators, is in Lesbos now, working with 15 teachers drawn from the refugee community to establish safe housing, education and social-emotional for the children of the camp. Our volunteers are serving as mentors and facilitators for a dedicated group of young people – refugees who themselves are survivors of the Moria fires – who serve as teachers and counselors for the children, They are now organizing outdoor activities at makeshift locations around the island. The utmost concern is for the children's safety and well-being.
The OHF (One Happy Family) campus, created by NATAN with our local partner SwissCross.Help, Has been active since April 2017 on six acres of private land. An empty warehouse on a hilltop was completely refurbished and renovated by our volunteers working together with refugees. The compound includes a community center, a restaurant, and the Education Center, all operated and staffed by the refugees themselves. Natan is responsible for the education and training for all ages. Today, despite …, the Community Center is still going strong - a source of hope and productive activity for the refugees on the island.
