We are helping refugees grow their own food in Greece and need your help!
Welcome Foundation and Americans for Refugees in Crisis (ARC) are jointly developing several projects at Softex camp, in Thessaloniki Greece.
Our first project, and one very close to our hearts for many reasons, is an organic (bio) community garden. We’ve been allotted about 2 acres by the Greek Govt to build a community garden which will provide plots for families, individuals, and groups.
While the refugees all hope to leave Greece quickly, the reality is that many will be in Greece for several years. A community garden will have the practical benefits of providing them with healthy food and, perhaps more importantly, give people agency in producing their own food. Camp residents have a broad range of professional skills and accomplishments for which their current circumstances provide little outlet. We anticipate that residents will quickly assume leadership roles and develop the garden enterprise in new ways.
How can you help with this exciting new program?
In addition to needing volunteers to help with the actual building of the garden, we are raising funds to pay for the expenses of this project. These expenses include: rental cost of farm tractor to clear land, soil amendment, shared garden tools, a shared lockable shed to store the tools, materials for building raised beds, drip irrigation, plant supports, a farm stand, water catch basins, and many other garden related requirements.