Help rebuild the homes lost in the fire in Athens

Dear friends,

On the 23rd of July 2018 a devastating fire claimed the lives of 102 people and destroyed hundreds of houses. 

With your help and with a fund of $30,000 we received, we were able to provide 20 families whose homes were partially destroyed with the necessary equipment and materials to make their homes habitable again. We were able to buy stoves and refridgerators, tiles and paint, children's desks and beds.

Your contributions have made a very big difference to the lives of the 68 adults and children who have benefited from this project. 

We thank you with all our hearts!

Ioanna Nisyriou

Co-founder of We Need Books

Dear Friend, 

Nearing the end of the project we are happy to inform you that our collaboration with Praktiker Hellas, the big home chainstore that has been with us -and the people whose life and property have been affected immensely- from the very beginning, providing goods  at a discounted price, has continued unceasingly. 

Moreover, we have finalized our collaboration on the field with Caritas Hellas, the Greek branch of the international Catholic organization, which have helped us connect with particular people whose needs have ranked very high up in the spectrum of needs and who have been beneficiaries of the Caritas psychological support program in the area.

However, this program has concluded in the end of March. We Need Books were the last to collaborate with the wonderful people of Caritas with whom future joint endeavors have been discussed already.

The 10 families referred to us by Caritas received 500 euro each in the form of a prepaid purchase card that is used for home equipment although it was more than obvious that the financial needs were much higher.

All the beneficiaries have provided us with the necessary documents proving their current situation. Photographs of the improvements made with the use of the prepaid cards have been asked to be sent to us as soon as the purchases are made. However, we were reluctant to ask for their own photographs -meaning faces- for reasons that can easily be understood.

Despite the program coming to an end, we are still looking to make good use of the remaining sum and are going back to double the assistance one of our first beneficiaries received – a family with 7 members- as well as two more families that have come to our attention and we feel we can accommodate. Should any amount remain from the grant, we will cover more needs of the ten aforementioned families.

Wish us all the best in this last phase!