By Hadley Jackson | Communications and Fundraising Officer
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)
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
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