Habibi Center

In Katsikas and Eleousa Camp, youth of the ages 12-18 have fallen through the cracks of the system, and will fall even deeper as they move on to their destination. Many of these youth are illiterate even in their native tongue, with only one or two years of proper schooling, they lack even basic math skills. At the age of 16 this is an irreversible and increasing problem which can only be contained and subside by special attention and private tutoring. This kind of work can not be done within the camp, in tents (such as the photo above) due to the lack of privacy and uninterruptible space which is what Habibi Center provides.


At Habibi Center volunteers instruct language courses for all levels. Currently, we also offer math, environmental science, an IT course, photography and film development.  In the near future, we plan to further expand our classroom and curriculum and teach basic mechanics, drawing and fine arts, restaurant service and coffee preparation. With endless possibilities and an alternative education, many other courses will be added as this project develops further.


Our goal is to prepare these youth for a life outside the camp, giving them a structure of learning, a sense of time and routine and purpose, at the same time breaking the barriers of prejudice and racism within the camp by teaching them to learn and to work together in an interracial environment. 


Project Breakdown:
Language and Studies Classroom
We are currently teaching English and plan to offer Spanish, French and possibly German in the near future.
We intergrate basic studies such as math and sciences within our language courses. 
In order to continue and further develop these courses we need to purchase all the furniture and material for the future classroom, including tables, chairs, whiteboard, markers, visual aids, projector, maps, books and notebooks, etc.  



IT room
In today's modern world, the use of a computer and access to information through the internet is critical to learning and establishing oneself in the worksphere. 
At Habibi Center, we intend to teach the youth how to use a computer, do research, develop webpages, work with photoshop. and use means such as youtube for learning skills. The IT room has been complete furnished and equipted with 4 computers donated by volunteers. 


  
Art Photography and Film Develpment 
A picture speaks a thousand words. For these youth, its very difficult to put into words all they experience on a day to day basis living within a refugee camp. We hope to liberate their creativity and expression of emotions (Art Therapy) through art and photography, while at the same time giving them a skill they can use further as freelance photographers. This also will in turn help them in their alphabet writting and penmanship of a foreign language.
For this, we will need art material such as canvas, paint, brushes, pencils, charcoal, pastels, cameras and film. 


As our curriculum develops, we intend to expand further starting with a small Gym and Fitness Space ,where we can teach basic health, higene, and even provide first aid courses. Funds for this Gym were raised by family and friends of Toby Leakey, co-founder and teacher in Habibi Center). We are also looking to add a Saloon Workshop with hair styling, barber, manicures and massages, Music Room with instruments and singing classes, and usage of a mixing board.

One of our most important workshops will be launched October 1st. This is Phase 3:

Culinary and Cafe Workshop
One of the most common first jobs in Europe is in restaurant or cafe service, for this reason we plan to teach skills such as coffee preparation, late art, how to handle money and cash register usage, waitressing, and cooking in a restaurant setting. To build this workshop we would need to purchase a cash register, espresso machine, and cooking ware, as well as food and beverages. This part of the proyect is not accounted for in this fundraiser, we estimate that we will need another 5,000 euros for Phase 3. 

We have achieved so much with the donations raised this far, but we still have ways to go.

Please read and share about us on Fb and check out our weekly updates: https://www.facebook.com/Habibi-Center-896568040472479/

Thank you for helping us make Habibi Center possible.