Refugee Rights Greece Project #63261

Bodybuilding Gym, named Linda

by Yoga and Sport with Refugees

Project Report | Oct 10, 2024
Linda Updates

By Ruvi | Project Coordinator

Dear Friend,

Hello, first and foremost I am writing to you to express our gratitude for those who have supported us thus far and to inform you about all the wonderful things we are achieving in Linda and our Ioannina project.

My name is Ruvi; I have been with YSR for a bit now and am still in love with the work I get to do. YSR never seems to not surprise me with how connected the team & community is. Everyday is something different, so here are a few highlights of recent life in Ioannina…

We had a lovely whole team meeting yesterday with fun games, snacks, and discussions. We welcomed our new women's fitness coach Firoza and a new community volunteer Ali. We had a wonderful team trip last weekend where we went to the cave in Ioannina and enjoyed a picnic with Afghani and French food afterwards. Sadly we also had to say goodbye to our volunteer Remi.

Last week in Ioannina was full of volleyball: we were happy to welcome Guus and Marloes from Let’s Keep The Ball Flying, some coaches from Athens and Lesvos and of course the volleyball players from Ioannina. A group of 15 people graduated successfully from the course and are volleyball coaches now. It was a week full of fun, community and learning. Throughout summer we hosted 3 volleyball events in summer, where we played with/against a local Greek team twice. and once we were allowed to use a hall, where we organised a tournament.

We have now officially put the gym back in wintermode, cleaned the storage as well as painting the gym door.

Lastly we celebrated 8 years of Habibi.Works. Organising a ping pong tournament and a women's dance party, where 42 women and their children joined

Thank you a lot for taking the time to read. We really appreciate you supporting us. It really means more than you think.

Kind regard,

Ruvi

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Jun 20, 2024
Linda Rennovation

By Ruvi Matiyenga | Project Coordinator

We started to rebuild Linda at the end of 2023. Before it was simply an open space with only a rooftop. It wasn't weatherproof; subzero in the winter and scorthing in the summer. Therefore, we want to give a big thank you to everyone that donated in order for us to be able to build walls, put new equipment inside (importantly a fan now it is reaching 30C+ in Ioannina), lights and paint the bodybuilding area to make it more comfortable and a better place to train. Moreover, it was a collaborative process with the team members and members of the community in the lead, special shout out to Naser and Sergio from Habibi Works.

Due to the renovation the participation has gone up by 6x considering that the space is in better conditions and has become a bit more welcoming

People are welcome to train 24/7 in the gym. It's a community in itself with a group training early in the morning before the rest of Greece wakes up, and the night owls who are training after their jobs in the night, and every time in between.

Following your support for Linda, I would like to take this opportunity to reach out to you with a further request.

YSR's work is not possible without the support of people like you. That’s why I’m writing to you today to invite you to join our team as a monthly donor. We will not be able to offer safe spaces for people on the move to practice sports without your continued support.

When you commit to a monthly gift, GlobalGiving will match your fourth consecutive donation 100%! With your sustainable contribution, you’re helping us build a solid foundation that will grow our impact.

We’d love it if you join YSR as a monthly donor. If you become a sustained contributor today, GlobalGiving will match your first monthly contribution in October. Thank you so much for being a part of the YSR family.

Warmly,

Ruvi

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