Εκμετάλλευση - Εμπορία Ανθρώπων - Human Exploitation/Trafficking Let-Children-be-Children_Case-studies-refugee-prog | Page 50

I wish our house here [the SOS Children’s Villages accommodation] was even bigger in order to host more children facing major problems like the ones I did until I came here and I received love and care from you [SOS Children’s Villages staff]. Here… I have learned so many things in so little time; I feel I am better as a person because of that and I will definitely need and use this knowledge in the future. 16-year-old boy from Afghanistan Each child receives legal advice and legal rep- resentation throughout the asylum and migra- tion procedures including family reunification, asylum and return procedures. A lawyer acts as a link and facilitates communication among the relevant stakeholders such as the Greek Asylum Service and the Prosecutor’s Office, follows up on individual cases throughout the relevant procedures and continuously informs children on developments regarding legal procedures affecting them. Re-establishing or maintaining communication with the birth family and family reunification procedures are among the project’s key pri- orities. In addition to legal support, material support is provided when necessary to facilitate contact between children and their families (e.g. mobile phones, SIM cards or free Wi- Fi). Further, the project staff works to build relations of trust with the parents to agree on common approaches and to seek their support to make the children aware of the risks of engag- ing in irregular work and relying on smugglers to leave the country irregularly. Parents are urged to encourage their children to seek legal channels either to settle in Greece or to reunite with their family in another European country. 50 Staff also facilitate access to the national healthcare system. An informal network is in place to ensure prompt referral and access to medical services and to address any challenges, for example those related to communication or the lack of interpretation services. All children are enrolled at schools, some of them at schools specialising in intercultural education. In order to ensure children’s right to education, the staff work closely with school directorates and assist children with their studies and homework. The staff regularly visit the schools where children are enrolled and attend relevant meetings to discuss children’s academic performance or other challenges they may face. When necessary they adjust the tu- toring provided after school according to school requirements and the children’s needs. In addition to formal schooling, the project offers multiple informal educational activities that include, for example, language courses, tutoring and computer courses; it also organises recreational sports, arts and cultural activities as well as outdoor field trips. Many of these activities are developed in close cooperation with local actors and make use of community resources. Moreover, the staff organise activities designed to inform and raise awareness among the public and in the local community on issues associated with the protection of unaccompa- nied and separated children and to facilitate the inclusion and integration of the children. Finally, those children who are approaching the 18 are prepared for employment. Specialised staff such as social workers support them in obtaining a work permit and other required documents from government authorities, advise on employment and vocational training and help young people to draft their CVs and to apply for jobs.