Personalised education for displaced young people

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Athens! As the autumn months bring cooler weather and shorter days, Gekko is busier than ever. Thanks to your support, we are able to respond to the urgent needs of a growing number of young people arriving in Greece seeking safety and stability. 

This year, over 37,000 people have arrived in Greece seeking asylum—a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Of the 501,560 applications for international protection submitted in 2024, a quarter are from children, including nearly 4,000 unaccompanied minors.

At Gekko, we see these numbers reflected in our classrooms. This fall, we received over 300 applications—an increase of 44% from Summer School. Nearly 40% more students registered for Fall Term compared to Summer. A remarkable 50% of our Summer School students returned for Fall Term, reflecting the strength of the relationships and quality of learning they have found at Gekko. 

Currently, 61% of our active students attend classes over 70% of the time, making them eligible for Gekko’s monthly attendance rewards—a testament to their dedication and the importance of the welcoming, context-aware Gekko environment. 

With a student body of 175 students, our small team has been working tirelessly to meet the increasing demand, facing each new challenge with resilience and commitment. Every milestone we reach, every daily achievement, is a testament to your belief in our mission and your commitment to helping displaced learners have access to education.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of Gekko students. 

With warmest wishes,

Hadley

Links:

• Better Days website
• Better Days Instagram
• Better Days Facebook

In June, Better Days celebrated the conclusion of the first full academic year at Gekko in Athens! This year, we welcomed 256 students to the Gekko community whose feedback was invaluable to the development of our services. After a year of learning about students’ needs and goals, we have never been more confident in Gekko’s ability to provide life-changing opportunities for children and young people affected by displacement. As we prepare for the next academic year, we continue to see a growing demand for Gekko’s context-aware personalized education services in Athens.  

Academic Year Summary (September 2023-June 2024)

• 256 registered students accessed Gekko services, of whom 70% actively participated in English, Greek, and IT courses and multidisciplinary workshops
• 1448 teaching hours
• 96% of students ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the overall Gekko experience

Though the regular academic year is over, the Gekko team is busy kicking off our 5-week Gekko Summer School session. Gekko Summer is an opportunity for displaced children and young people (ages 12-24) to discover new skills and interests, explore the sites of Athens, and continue making progress towards their learning goals. As always with Gekko services, Summer School provides a supportive community where all students can feel safe, valued, and encouraged. 

Summer School, which launched on 8 July with 151 applicants, comprises daily interdisciplinary courses in English and Greek language and IT skills. We also offer a wide array of extracurricular workshops each Friday, spanning subjects like photography, film, music, dance, art, and sports. We have planned exciting field trips around the Athens area, including museums, archaeological sites, hiking areas, and community service projects. Due to popular demand, we have broadened Summer School hours into the morning and extended our target group to younger children, starting at age 12. 

Thanks to your support, Gekko Summer School will ensure children and young people in Athens who have been affected by displacement have a fun and enriching summer! 

With sincere gratitude, 

The Better Days team

Links:

• Better Days website
• Better Days Instagram
• Better Days Facebook