Addressing basic needs for refugees on Kos

The summer months on Kos brought to the Hub a burst of energy! Our space flourished with language lessons, sports, painting, and community dinners. Our centre is a safe haven for people on the move, offering guidance, resources, and a place to connect over snacks and coffee. We took this summer momentum to set up new initiatives and develop existing projects, in an effort to make the Hub an even more welcoming and supportive space for everyone who comes through our doors. In the past 3 months we had 3044 visits to our community centre,  2121 individuals who used our free shop and we resolved 547 requests through our helpdesk.

Greek language lessons now happen twice a week. The excitement and regular attendance from our learners have truly been inspiring. Having a point of guidance to navigate the Greek language has been crucial, for our visitors, many of whom are already working or seeking a job in the country. Our Helpdesk also continues to be an anchor for our community. We accompany refugees to institutions such as banks, hospitals, and government offices, offering support throughout the process. Whether it’s attending creating a CV, or renewing an ID, our team is by their side every step of the way.  We have taken advantage of the summer warmth to spend lots of time outside. Whether spreading colour through chalk drawings on the pavement or taking part in collective action all together by participating in protests and public demonstrations to raise their voices and demand dignity for all. Thursday afternoons sport sessions became something sacred! Volleyball matches brought the Hub together in a way that words couldn’t, people cheering, teasing, and laughing across languages. We opened a new library space and a children's area. Thanks to a generous donation from Library for All, the bookshelf is now full of books for big and little readers alike and has quickly become a favorite corner for children visiting the Hub. Our little library includes storybooks, educational materials, activities books, and English learning textbooks, giving everyone a chance to read, learn, and practice new skills! We hope our collection keeps growing, so that we are able to spread the joy of reading and learning even further. We hosted many community dinners and events, thanks to our visitors who cooked dishes from their home countries, and each meal felt like a journey. From Iran, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria, our stomachs were full and happy.

And yet, even as we celebrated these beautiful moments, we kept a keen eye on what was happening beyond our walls. Fundamental human rights remain out of reach for many of our visitors. The recent introduction of stricter legislation in Greece, targeting undocumented migrants, has ushered in an unprecedented era of zero tolerance and reflects the rising hostility toward refugees ingrained within the broader Greek political climate. It illustrates a shrinking space for those seeking safety and a mountain of obstacles ahead. The current landscape underscores the urgent and ongoing need for strong advocacy. 

This quarter, we documented stories, collected testimonies, and made sure to amplify the voices of people on the move. We met a Palestinian father with his wife and seven-year-old daughter who was not able to find long-term work, affordable housing, or schooling and was forced to move to Athens. We met a brave young man, whose days inside the CCAC are dominated by survival and boredom. We met a group of friends who had crossed the 4 km stretch from Bodrum to Kos swimming, recalling they saw death in the middle of the sea. The conditions within the walls of the camp and the harsh realities faced by people on the move, remain deeply challenging. In recent months, we have witnessed a sharp increase in new arrivals to the island: while we only registered 189 new a in June, this number rose to 466 in September. Our Free Shop is a lifeline for these new arrivals who are placed in camps where basic necessities are absent and living conditions are dire.

Each story reminds us of the harsh realities of people on the move and the importance of the Hub as a place of support, guidance, and hope. Many share how safe, understood, and cared for they feel here, finding moments of comfort and connection that are missing anywhere else. Their presence, laughter, and resilience remind us daily why this work matters.  As the summer sets over our island, we carry with us the energy, laughter, and resilience of our community. Each day at the Hub reminds us that even in the face of uncertainty, solidarity endures. 

Through your donations, you’re helping build a community where people feel seen, safe and heard. Thank you for being part of our story! Thank you for planting hope with us.

The Hub remains the main point of support for people on the move on the island of Kos. Our team continues to operate the community centre and free shop daily, ensuring the needs of hundreds of individuals are met with dignity and care.

For people on the move, marking special occasions like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha or Newroz isn't only about tradition, it is about belonging, resilience, and joy. These moments offer a powerful space to celebrate identity, which is especially important for those far from home. Recently, we came together to celebrate all these beautiful celebrations as one community. This month we were very happy to also celebrate the birthdays of community volunteers and regular Hub visitors alike! We feel so lucky to have shared these moments with them and to get the chance to show them our care.  

Every Friday, our women’s space remains an anchor point. While the women connect, the kids stay happily busy — puzzling away, crafting, or diving into games! We gather to cook up delicious traditional meals, share stories, and unwind. Lately, the kitchen has been alive with the smells of home!

Our English classes continue to see a number of motivated learners! Many of our visitors are also eager to create CVs, find work, and actively contribute to local life. We have been supporting them through our help desk everything from administrative guidance and assistance with opening bank accounts, to simply being there with a listening ear.

In May, we also hosted a movie screening of No Other Land,a powerful documentary amplifying the voices of Palestinians resisting displacement. We have also been active in local protests standing shoulder to shoulder in visible solidarity. We stand firmly with the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom, dignity, and self-determination. 

Looking ahead  all hands are on deck to prepare for the Anti-Racist Festival of Kos on June 13–14! The whole community is getting involved—kids have been helping us to make postcards, and volunteers and the hub’s visitors have teamed up to craft handmade items to share and sell. We will be present at the festival with a stand, sharing our work and raising awareness.

As always, thank you for your generous support! From food shared on a holiday to the tiny beads of our handmade bracelets - every small act, every donation, every moment helps sustain our vibrant community. Know that you are not just supporting services, you are nurturing connection, smiles, and hope!

Links:

• Check out our latest blog on the situation on Kos