"Hygeia Guesthouse" for the temporary accommodation of families with children in need of hospitalization
Funded by Kindernothilfe

Project Progress for the Period 01.10.2021 until 31.12.2021 

Number of beneficiaries during reporting period: Six (6) minors in need of hospitalization, nine (9) minors who followed their parents when moving (siblings) and twelve (12) parents/guardians.

Services during reporting period: Provision of hospitality for parents/guardians and minor family members, psychosocial support for beneficiaries, facilitation of access to health care, educational and recreational activities for minors.

Description of activities:
Provision of hospitality for parents/guardians and minor family members: To ensure safe and decent living conditions for the families, Zeuxis fully equipped the Guesthouse “Hygeia”, which is conveniently located in the center of Athens. Upon arrival, the beneficiaries are informed in a language they understand about their rights and obligations, the rules of the Guesthouse and the services provided. They can use a fully equipped kitchen to prepare meals and receive cash allowance, if necessary, material support, tickets for public transport etc.

Recruitment and training of staff

The Guesthouse is staffed with a Coordinator, a social worker, a psychologist, an educator and caregivers and operates according to its Regulation of operation. All provided services are supervised by an experienced scientific team and supported by the headquarters’ staff (administration, procurement, HR etc).

Psychosocial support: Thirteen (10) minors received psychological support by an experienced psychologist through individual sessions. The sessions take place upon arrival, then according to a weekly psychosocial program or when deemed necessary by the scientific team. Twelve (12) parents and guardians received regular psychological support to cope with the stressful situation. The sessions took place upon arrival, then according to a weekly psychosocial program or when deemed necessary by the scientific team, to empower parents and guardians to deal with any possible long-term challenges arising from the illness and treatment and to better respond to their role in the long-run. The social worker supported five (5) families with their cases through individual sessions, facilitated their access and communication with hospitals, supported access to health care and arranged vaccination appointments.

Educational and recreational activities: The educator with the help of the care givers provided care and activities for nine (9) minors. The educational and recreational activities included lessons, games, workshops on health issues/protection, excursions, visits to museums etc.

ZEUXIS cooperated with the two Children's hospitals (“Agia Sofia”, “Panagiotis & Aglaia Kyriakou”) in Athens. During the period October to December 2021, the Guesthouse accepted referrals by the Children’s Hospital “Agia Sofia. Besides, during the same period, the Guesthouse accepted referrals by the Reception and Identification Service (Ministry of Migration and Asylum) and in particular, the Open Accommodation Centers of Ritsona and Thermopylae.

Description of beneficiaries from the beginning of the project

Announcements:

• Press: Athenian and Macedonian News Agency
https://www.amna.gr/home/article/611406/Giortes-diaforetikes-Ston-xenona-filoxenias-gia-nosileuomena-paidia-Ygeia?fbclid=IwAR2XUBssjF3sx-NLOrqWuw9MfTK7u6Ec43WqPwbsNDqLE0oJSBsOHFj-84g
• Social media
https://www.facebook.com/Zeuxisngo/posts/1035182147282065
https://www.facebook.com/Zeuxisngo/posts/1034179260715687
https://www.facebook.com/Zeuxisngo/posts/1063496481117298

The minors of the Guesthouse participated in the Exhibition, organised by the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors (Ministry of Migration and Asylum), of works of minors on the topic of children's rights. The children created, collage, posters and small artifacts, drawing inspiration from the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The exhibition is open to the public, daily in the Tritsis Metropolitan Park.

For more info:
xenonas.ygeia@zeuxis.org.gr
210 3804709 
 

URL address of DG HOME: http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/
URL address of IOM Greece: https://greece.iom.int/en
URL address of Zeuxis:  http://www.zeuxis.org.gr